Description

Also known as Branch Coral, Branching Coral, Broccoli Coral, Cauliflower Coral, Formosan Soft Coral, Kenya Tree Coral, Lemnalia Tree Coral, Soft Tree Coral.

Found over reef flats and slopes of coral and rocky reefs. These tree like soft corals have smooth slender stalks and the flowers cannot withdraw into the stalks.
They feed on plankton.
Length - ?cm
Depth - 5-20m
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: x