WHATSTHATFISH
Corals & anemones

Smooth Tree Coral

Litophyton

Also known as: Branching Leather Soft Coral, Broccoli Coral, Flower Tree Coral, Soft Tree Coral, Tree Coral

Adult
@KitBrennan · Admiral Anchor - Coral Sea, Australia · July 20091 / 8
01

Overview

Found on reef flats and slopes, of fringing and patch reefs. Tree-like, with slender smooth branches, colour is usually cream.
Length - Spreading

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.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Body shape
branchestree

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 8
LIVES IN

Found on reef flats and slopes, of fringing and patch reefs.

04

Adult photos 8

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumCnidaria
    3. classOctocorallia
    4. orderMalacalcyonacea
    5. familyNephtheidae
    6. genusLitophyton Forskål, 1775

    SourcesWoRMS

    06

    More in the family

    Malacalcyonacea