The Soft Tree coral is a captivating flowery soft coral species with spikes commonly found along our shores. This mesmerizing coral thrives on coral rubble near living reefs, adding a touch of natural beauty to these underwater habitats. With its unique colony structure, the Soft Tree coral forms bushy colonies measuring 6-12cm, featuring branched "stems" emerging from a central "trunk." The translucent or white stems house embedded sclerites, while clusters of tiny polyps with eight branched tentacles grace the branch tips. These polyps exhibit a stunning array of colors, ranging from white, beige, and yellow to vibrant hues of orange, purple, and maroon. Notably, the Soft Tree coral's striking spikes, sometimes as large as the polyps themselves, become more pronounced when the polyp tentacles retract and form delicate balls. Unlike other corals, this species thrives without symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae), allowing it to flourish even in murky water and dimly lit environments.