With the relatively unique look of Kenya tree coral and how beginner friendly it is to keep, many people new to keeping corals in their tank are choosing kenya tree coral as one of their first corals to try keeping.
Although kenya tree coral is not as popular in dedicated reef tanks, if you do just want to try your hand at keeping a coral in your marine tank then a kenya tree coral can be a great option.
Although kenya tree coral is considered to be a beginner friendly type of coral to keep, many people do reach out to ask about their kenya tree coral dropping.
This is a common problem but thankfully, in most cases, it really is easy to fix and your kenya tree coral should be able to make a full recovery with minimal long term problems.
Is It Normal For An Kenya Tree Coral To Droop?
Although a kenya tree coral may temporarily appear to droop as it moves with the water flow of your tank, for the most part, a kenya tree coral should not droop.
In most cases, any drooping in your kenya tree coral will be an indication of a potential problem with the coral that you will have to investigate and fix as quickly as possible else you risk the coral perishing.
What Causes Kenya Tree Coral To Droop?
There are a few different reasons which can cause kenya tree coral to droop and in some cases, more than one reason may be present which is causing the problem.
This is why we would highly recommend that you test for all of these potential problems in your tank rather than just finding one issue and fixing it.
The majority of people who notice that their kenya tree coral is dropping will be having problems with one of two issues. The first is poor water quality and the second is a lack of food in the tank for your kenya tree coral.
So many people new to keeping corals fail to realise that a coral needs to be fed! Here is a break down of the most common causes of a drooping kenya tree coral…
Water Quality
Poor water quality is one of the most common reasons why kenya tree coral can droop. When your tank’s water quality is poor, it can have a negative impact on the health of your kenya tree coral and can cause it to droop as well as potentially cause a number of other potential problems.
Food And Nutrition
A lack of nutrition is another common problem which can cause kenya tree coral to droop. A kenya tree coral needs a balanced diet of both zoo plankton and phytoplankton in order to thrive and if it isn’t getting the right nutrition, it will start to droop.
Water Flow Problems
Water flow is an extremely important factor to consider when keeping any type of coral in your tank, but it is especially important when it comes to kenya tree coral. A kenya tree coral needs a moderate to high level of water flow in order to thrive and if it doesn’t get enough water flow, it can start to droop.
Water Parameter Changes
Sudden water parameter changes can be one of the leading causes of kenya tree coral drooping. When there is a sudden change in water parameters, it can cause the kenya tree coral to become stressed and droop as a result. If you are experiencing a sudden change in water parameters, it is important to test your tank with a suitable water test kit to check for potential issues.
A Lack Of Light
A lack of light can also be a reason why kenya tree coral may droop. If your kenya tree coral isn’t getting enough light, it will start to droop as it isn’t able to get the energy it needs from the light. Most kenya tree corals need a moderate light intensity in their tank.
Non-Reef Safe Tank Mates
Although it is rare, there are some fish which will eat kenya tree coral. If you have any fish in your tank which are known to eat coral, it is important to remove them as they can cause serious damage to your kenya tree coral. Even slight nips from any non-reef safe tank mates in your aquarium can be enough to cause your kenya tree coral to start drooping.
Issues With Ammonia And Nitrates
Ammonia and nitrates are two of the most important water parameters to keep an eye on when it comes to the health of your kenya tree coral. Ammonia is produced when fish waste breaks down and high levels of ammonia can be toxic to your kenya tree coral.
Nitrates are produced when organic matter in the tank breaks down and high levels of nitrates can also be toxic to kenya tree coral. If you think that ammonia or nitrates could be an issue, it is important to test your tank with a suitable water test kit.
How To Fix A Drooping Kenya Tree Coral
Now that we have looked at some of the most common reasons why kenya tree coral can droop, let’s take a look at how you can fix the problem.
The first thing you need to do is test your tank with a water test kit to check for any potential issues such as high ammonia or nitrate levels as well as any other potential problems with water parameters.
If you find that there is an issue with your water quality, it is important to take steps to improve it as soon as possible. This can be done by performing a water change, using a filter media such as activated carbon or using a product such as Seachem Prime to remove toxins from the water if you are using tap water for your water changes.
Nutrition
If you think that a lack of nutrition could be an issue, it is important to start feeding your kenya tree coral a diet of both phytoplankton and zooplankton. There are a number of different products on the market which you can use such as reef roids, krill, mysis shrimp or brine shrimp. With all being great food options for a kenya tree coral.
Water Flow
If you think that water flow could be an issue, it is important to increase the water flow in your tank. This can be done by adding more powerheads or by redirecting the flow of your existing powerheads. A moderate to high water flow is ideal for your kenya tree coral but they should usually be placed towards the bottom of your tank.
Lighting
If you think that lighting could be an issue, it is important to increase the light intensity in your tank. This can usually be done by moving your kenya tree coral closer to the light source or by upgrading to a more powerful light.
If you have a kenya tree coral which is placed towards the bottom of your tank, it is also a good idea to add some supplemental lighting such as actinic blue LEDs to help them out.
How Long Does It Take For A Kenya Tree Coral To Recover From Dropping?
If you have taken the steps to fix the problem and your kenya tree coral is starting to look better, it is important to give them time to recover. This process can take a few weeks but as long as you provide them with the correct care, they should start to look better in no time.
Key Points To Note!
The most common reasons for kenya tree coral to droop include:
- Poor water quality.
- Not enough food.
- Not enough water flow in the tank.
- A sudden change in water parameters.
- Not enough light.
- A tank mate eating the coral.
- High levels of ammonia and nitrates in the water.
Conclusion
That brings our article going over the causes of a kenya tree coral drooping to an end. We hope that you have found it helpful and that you are now able to take the necessary steps to fix the problem. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading!
