Black sun coral (Tubastraea micranthus) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Tree sun coral, Black tree coral
Family
Dendrophylliidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific reefs, in strong currents
Water
saltwater
Care level
expert
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Not photosynthetic; light only for viewing
Flow
Strong

Care

Tubastraea micranthus is a non-photosynthetic stony coral that grows as dark green to black branching trees, with small yellow-green polyps. Placement: in strong flow; shade is fine. Flow and water: strong flow, plus stable calcium and alkalinity as for other stony corals. Neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics lists this species; the figures are general guidance for the genus, not from a source. Selling: this is a CITES Appendix II coral. Frags grown in the UK can be sold freely; wild-collected or imported pieces must have been legally imported with CITES paperwork. Sources: none; general reef-keeping knowledge only. Checked October 2026.

Diet

Not photosynthetic: it must be target-fed every day with small meaty foods such as mysis, brine shrimp or plankton.

Breeding

Not often propagated; branches can be cut and glued to rock.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful; protect it from stinging corals.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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