Slender carnation coral
Scleronephthya gracillima
Scleronephthya gracillima forms fine, branched tree-like colonies. Its polyps are non-retractile and form a dense fuzz. It lacks zooxanthellae and relies entirely on plankton capture. Its color ranges from white to pale pink. It is very sensitive to parameter fluctuations and high nitrates. Its growth is slow. It is often confused with Nephthea but is distinguished by its finer structure.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–27 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 |
| GH | 7–9 |
| KH | 8–12 |
| Salinity | 1.023–1.025 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 5 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.03 |
Care
Care notes
This coral is for experienced aquarists only. It requires a mature aquarium with very stable, oligotrophic water. Temperature 24-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.023-1.025. Nitrates <5 ppm, phosphates <0.03 ppm. Moderate to strong flow is needed to bring food. It must be fed daily with phytoplankton and small zooplankton. Low lighting is sufficient as it is non-photosynthetic. Avoid competition with aggressive corals. Propagation by cuttings is possible but delicate.