Range: Tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean and Red Sea

Natural Environment: This encrusting photosynthetic soft coral usually inhabits protected, fairly shallow nutrient rich back reef areas, where gentle currents exist. Its tall, about 5 inches (12 cm), cylindrical-shaped polyps is part of an encrusting base that usually encompasses dead coral rubble and hardpan areas. Its polyps have 8 delicate pinnate tentacles, which have been seen to rhythmically open and close (pulse) in the wild. The most common color is a rich brown, however, I've also seen ashen grey, and/or very light tan specimens.

General Husbandry: This soft coral is often confused with Xenia, which is similar in appearance. Whereas Xenia polyps extend from its stalk or branches, the larger Anthelia polyps arise directly from its encrusting base, which is a good way to tell these two favorites apart from each other. Furthermore, Xenia is usually purchased because its polyp's tentacles have the capacity to pulse at regular intervals. Even though Anthelia polyp tentacles are also said to pulse in the wild, yet far less than do Xenia polyps, their pulsing in aquaria is quite infrequent. It is thought the pulsing tends to move dissolved organic laden water past the tentacles and/or is a form of respiration where dangerously high levels of dissolved oxygen are dissipated. One thing for sure, the reason for pulsing is still conjecture.

Nevertheless, its appears Anthelia does not need any specific direct feeding method, therefore, only needs to be placed in a well lighted area and where water quality is somewhat nutrient rich and gentle flows exist. There are those that recommend activated carbon not be used, or at least, its use limited in aquaria containing this species. The same is true for Xenia, as it may affect their growth simply because this product lowers the aquarium's nutrient content. Personally, I have not found this to be true, as those specimens, both Anthelia and Xenia in my aquaria did extremely well in systems where water quality was 'excellent' and nitrogen-laden products where for all practicable purposes below what could be read on hobbyist test kits.

And even though Anthelia does not seem to contain any toxic chemicals, therefore, extremely compatible with other type corals it touches, it can spread quite fast under the right circumstances. Therefore it's wise to provided enough surrounding space for growth, as it can 'simply' overgrow its neighbors.

Do not remove a specimen with highly inflated polyps from the water as the weight of the water in the flesh may damage/tear the polyps. Gently shake the specimen and allow them to retract somewhat before removing.

Even though this species is a poor shipper, healthy specimens, once established are quite hardy and disease resistant. Water quality requirements are: Calcium 380 - 430 ppm, Alkalinity 3.5 meq/l, pH 8.1 - 8.2, Specific Gravity 1.023 - 1.026, and a temperature range of 74 to 83°F (23 - 28°C).