Orange Nepthea Tree
Nepthea sp.
Tree-like pulsing soft coral in warm orange tones. Sways beautifully in strong flow and is very forgiving for new reefers.
- Lighting
- Medium
- Flow
- High
- Placement
- Mid to upper tank, needs strong flow
- Temperament
- Peaceful
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Care guide
Keeping Nepthea in a reef tank
Nepthea is a branching tree soft coral that forms a bushy, cauliflower-like colony. It is photosynthetic but benefits from the particulate food present in a normally fed reef, and it grows quickly once it has attached and settled.
Lighting for Orange Nepthea Tree
Moderate light suits it. The branches extend and stiffen with good illumination and the colony stays limp and closed if placed too deep in the shade. This particular frag is rated for medium light — roughly 100–200 PAR, around the middle of the rockwork.
Water flow
Moderate to strong flow is important for this genus — more than most soft corals want. Good movement keeps the branches inflated and stops detritus collecting in the dense interior of the colony. Flow for this frag should be strong and turbulent.
Placement and tank mates
Mid to upper tank, needs strong flow. Peaceful.
What to watch for
Colonies periodically deflate and look deeply unwell for a day or two before reinflating, which is normal cycling rather than decline. Persistent deflation combined with tissue loss at the base is the pattern that actually warrants attention.
