Difference between Kenya tree and nepthea

[kartrsu]

I can never tell the difference between the two. I’ve got the green and pink Kenya trees. I saw a pink nepthea at Petco for cheap, but it looks just like my pink Kenya tree comparing branches, but with a thicker stalk. What are the differences I should be looking for?

First pic below is Kenya tree from LA

Also my Kenya tree grows super slow. Do these need much higher light or nutrients? Have my pink one in a frag tank with .35 phosphate, 10 nitrate, and 50ish PAR and it just gets longer, but not stalkier.

Thanks!!!

 

[Reefer40b]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/questions-about-nephthea-kenya-tree-corals.300866/

 

[kartrsu]

Thanks man. Yeah I came across that thread, but honestly they look the same in person to me. Seems like nepthea is the preferred coral out of the two since it doesn't drop branches.

 

[Funston07]

I can never tell the difference between the two. I’ve got the green and pink Kenya trees. I saw a pink nepthea at Petco for cheap, but it looks just like my pink Kenya tree comparing branches, but with a thicker stalk. What are the differences I should be looking for?

First pic below is Kenya tree from LA

Also my Kenya tree grows super slow. Do these need much higher light or nutrients? Have my pink one in a frag tank with .35 phosphate, 10 nitrate, and 50ish PAR and it just gets longer, but not stalkier.

Thanks!!!

I have my kenya in about 80-90 par and it's stalk gets extremely plump

 

[MixedFruitBasket]

Nepthea /nephthya is a generalized term (incorrectly applied) to many tree type corals. Nepthea is its own species not a family name. the correct family name is nephtheidae
The family nephtheidae is made up of some of the following species. Nepthea, litophyton, lemnalia, paralemnalia, capnella, stereonephthya, Dendronephthya, scleronephthya, chromonephthya, unbellulifera, leptophyton, and pacifiphyton. Recently litophyton and nephthya/ea were grouped into the same species however they are still listed as separate by many books.
The misuse of the species name nephthea has bothered me for some time. LA, ORA, as well as a few other use it interchangeably when it’s not. Or giving fancy names like “taro tree” to ordinary Kenya tree. AWhat many of these places are calling nephthya/ea is capnella, although there are multiple types and not all of them the pest tree so many are used to.
I have pointed this out many times to LA. They have been much better on DD but they have not changed the names on their general stock list. In fact they have a photo of litophyton representing paralemnalia which is terrible cause paralemnalia does not have sclerites.
LA no longer has stereonephthya or litophyton on their general stock list because the vendors are constantly sending out the wrong thing. And trust me when you pay 125.00 for a stereo and get sent a Kenya tree, you’re gonna be a little irate.
Sadly most people do not know the difference and are routinely sent the incorrect specimen. But since they don’t know the vendors rarely have to account for it.

 

[MixedFruitBasket]

Telling the difference: litophyton(nephthya/ea) has visible sclerites in the branches and higher in the stalks. Sclerites are the framework that allow the branches to stand. The number of sclerites and size makes them somewhat “stiff” and bristly when contracted. Litophyton/nephthya/ea tends to have all the polyps at
The ends of the branches and fewer in the body. When contracted they do not pull in completely and create lobes or clusters. Litophyton. Generally had a narrow range of colors: pink, purple, yellow. Depending on where they are collected the color may be more distinct and the number and size of sclerites can differ. It can be difficult to differentiate litophyton/nephthya/ea from lemnalia. But lemnalia is soft and very very slimy. While Lito has some slime it is nothing like lemnalia. Picture of Lito included. Notice the “scratches” in these samples. They can be difficult to see in the adult colonies unless the photo is exceedingly clear and close up. White light also helps.

 

[MixedFruitBasket]

Capnella: the main distinct trait shared with all types of capnella are the horizontal ridges in the body and next to no visible sclerites. If they are visible they are usually tiny specks not actual lines. No matter the color these lines are there. Lines can sometimes be seen in litophyton however the coral is still a bit stiffer and the sclerites larger and more visible.

added: the other distinct difference ishow the polyps appear when retracted.

 

[Ulee]

Little frags of my green Kenya

 

[kartrsu]

Nepthea /nephthya is a generalized term (incorrectly applied) to many tree type corals. Nepthea is its own species not a family name. the correct family name is nephtheidae
The family nephtheidae is made up of some of the following species. Nepthea, litophyton, lemnalia, paralemnalia, capnella, stereonephthya, Dendronephthya, scleronephthya, chromonephthya, unbellulifera, leptophyton, and pacifiphyton. Recently litophyton and nephthya/ea were grouped into the same species however they are still listed as separate by many books.
The misuse of the species name nephthea has bothered me for some time. LA, ORA, as well as a few other use it interchangeably when it’s not. Or giving fancy names like “taro tree” to ordinary Kenya tree. AWhat many of these places are calling nephthya/ea is capnella, although there are multiple types and not all of them the pest tree so many are used to.
I have pointed this out many times to LA. They have been much better on DD but they have not changed the names on their general stock list. In fact they have a photo of litophyton representing paralemnalia which is terrible cause paralemnalia does not have sclerites.
LA no longer has stereonephthya or litophyton on their general stock list because the vendors are constantly sending out the wrong thing. And trust me when you pay 125.00 for a stereo and get sent a Kenya tree, you’re gonna be a little irate.
Sadly most people do not know the difference and are routinely sent the incorrect specimen. But since they don’t know the vendors rarely have to account for it.

This is awesome. Thank you so much for the classification and descriptions. It seems I have one of each. I have a pink capnella from uniquecorals and a pink nepthea from Petco. The nepthea looks quite nice when grown out with the thick single stalk. Seems like its the preferred coral for me.

Interestingly, I thought I'd put them next to each other to see what the difference was, and I noticed the capnella shriveled away from the nepthea.

 

[MixedFruitBasket]

This is awesome. Thank you so much for the classification and descriptions. It seems I have one of each. I have a pink capnella from uniquecorals and a pink nepthea from Petco. The nepthea looks quite nice when grown out with the thick single stalk. Seems like its the preferred coral for me.

Interestingly, I thought I'd put them next to each other to see what the difference was, and I noticed the capnella shriveled away from the nepthea.

I've not seen unique corals with pink capnella. I have seen them with Koji Wada nephthea, aka stereonephthya.

I'd love to see photos of both.

 

[danieyella]

I've not seen unique corals with pink capnella. I have seen them with Koji Wada nephthea, aka stereonephthya.

I'd love to see photos of both.

Speaking of, UC posted a combo today that appears to be a pink capnella and a blue capnella

 

[kartrsu]

Here we go. Capnella first, nepthea next. Sorry, but hard to take a good iPhone photo but can reshoot.

 

[MixedFruitBasket]

I think the first one is "nephthea" either litophyton, nephthea, or stereo, depending on the sclerites. The second one I'm pretty sure is capnella.

Here we go. Capnella first, nepthea next. Sorry, but hard to take a good iPhone photo but can reshoot.