Profile: Melithaea sp. (Gorgonian Coral)

General Information

The Melithaea belongs to the family Melithaeidae and is considered one of the most colorful gorgonian or horn corals. These colony-forming soft corals are mainly found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific and are known for their branching, brightly colored structures.

Origin & Habitat

• Distribution: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Indonesia, Philippines
• Habitat: Coral reefs and areas with strong currents
• Depth: Usually 5–40 meters
• Water Flow: Moderate to strong
• Lighting: Moderate to low

Appearance

• Branching, tree-like growth form
• Colors range from orange, red, and yellow to pink or purple
• Small polyps with delicate tentacles
• Calcareous skeletal structure for stability

Care in Marine Aquariums

• Difficulty Level: Moderate to advanced
• Aquarium Size: From approximately 200 liters
• Temperature: 24–26 °C
• pH Level: 8.1–8.4
• Water Flow: Strong and variable
• Lighting: Moderate

Many species of Melithaea gorgonians rely on regular feeding with fine plankton. Stable water conditions and strong water movement are essential for long-term success.

Feeding

• Phytoplankton
• Zooplankton
• Fine suspended particles carried by the current

Special Characteristics

• Considered a non-aggressive coral species
• Highly decorative branching structure
• Can be sensitive to poor water quality
• Strong flow helps prevent debris from settling on the polyps

* This text was generated using AI and has been reviewed by us for accuracy