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An eye-catching soft coral with a structure as musical as its name, the Organ Pipe Coral (Tubipora musica) is prized for its vibrant red skeleton and delicate flower-like polyps. While the surface appears soft and fluffy, beneath lies a rigid matrix of deep crimson tubes—earning this coral its common name. Found in shallow reef flats across the Indo-Pacific, it offers unique texture and movement to established marine systems.
Species: Tubipora musica
Common Names: Organ Pipe Coral, Pipe Coral
Origin: Indo-Pacific – including northern Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines
Light Requirements: Moderate to high
Diet: Photosynthetic – gains most energy from light; benefits from occasional feeding of microplankton or coral foods like reef roids or marine snow
Maximum Size: Colonies can exceed 20 cm across and grow in width over time
Temperament: Peaceful
Care Level: Moderate
Aquarium Setup:
Best kept in reef aquariums of 150 litres or more, with moderate lighting and gentle, indirect flow to promote full polyp extension. Unlike many soft corals, Organ Pipe Coral has a calcareous red skeleton, so placement on stable rockwork or sand is important to avoid damage. Ensure it’s not shaded by faster-growing corals, and place away from aggressive species with long sweepers.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.023–1.025
Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH
Calcium: 400–450 ppm
Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
Nitrates: <5–10 ppm
Phosphates: <0.05 ppm
Growth and Maintenance:
Tubipora musica grows slowly but steadily in stable systems. It’s important to maintain good calcium and alkalinity levels, as its skeleton is calcium-based like hard corals. Polyps should be extended during the day when healthy, giving it the appearance of a soft coral. Avoid handling or fragging—it is prone to injury and doesn’t recover well from physical damage.
Care Tips:
✔ Provide moderate light and gentle, indirect water movement
✔ Maintain strong calcium and alkalinity levels for skeleton support
✔ Spot feed 1–2 times weekly for improved growth
✔ Avoid high-aggression LPS or chemical-warfare softies nearby
✔ Handle with care—its skeleton is brittle and easily damaged
Compatibility:
Peaceful and reef-safe. Excellent for mixed reef tanks alongside soft corals, zoanthids, and small-polyp stonies (SPS). Safe with all reef-safe fish and invertebrates. Avoid contact with aggressive Euphyllia, Galaxea, or non-reef-safe species.
Availability:
Occasionally available in the Australian trade. Often sold as small colonies attached to rock or frag plugs. Ask us about current colour morphs or placement tips for your reef system.
Disclaimer:
"Organ Pipe Coral is a unique soft coral with a calcareous skeleton. It requires stable reef parameters and careful handling to thrive long-term."