Dendrophyllia

General information

In general, Dendrophyllia are classified as stony cup coral where their tentacles are enclosed in to a singe branch forming like a cup. Their polyps are usually small in size and extends out and exposed all the time regardless if it is night or day. Commonly called as the “Dendro” corals, they are the perfect piece for newbie aquarist since they are easy to care.

For the Dendrophyllia, they are predominatly colored yellow orange. This are the water parameters for cultivating Dendrophyllia:

• Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm
• Alkalinity: 2.86 – 3.93 MEQ/L (8 – 11 dKH)
• Phosphates: 0
• Magnesium: 1200 – 1350
• Strontium: 8 -10
• Temperature: 72° – 78° F (22° – 26° C)
• Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025
• pH: 8.1 – 8.4

Dendrophyllia are classified as azooxanthellate. Meaning, they DO NOT have the symbiotic zooxanthellae that can possibly give them nourishment. With this, they get their nourishment by the absoprtion of nutirents in the water. We do recommend supplemental feeding by adding mysis and brine shrimp in the water.

A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Dendrophyllia. They need to be set at the bottom portion of the tank where lighting and flow rate are in moderation.

Dendrophyllia requires low lighting and moderate waterflow.

Dendrophyllia can be found in the waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. You have to take note that they dwell in deepwater environments and prefer areas with low lighting.

Since Dendrophyllia is a marine species, salinity must be entirely maintained at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity.