Description

Also known as Carnation Coral, Cauliflower Soft Coral, Dendronephthya Carnation, Divaricate Tree Coral, Mauve Spiky Soft Coral, Prickly Alcyonarian Coral, Purple Soft Finger, Soft Tree Coral, Strawberry Soft Coral, Thistle Coral, Tree Coral.

Found in caves and on shaded ledges of coral and rocky reefs.
They feed on plankton.
Length - 30cm
Depth - 20-40m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Most soft corals have no true skeleton and so their bodies are flexible.
Some soft corals have spikes very similar to rose thorns which may help to protect against predators.
Soft corals are food and shelter to many marine animals, some of which hide in the branches and take on the colouration of these corals. Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendronephthya