The colorful tree-like soft coral Dendronephthya is not particularly common in the clear water of the Marshalls, particularly when compared to other places we have been, such as Indonesia, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, Chuuk lagoon and Pohnpei in the eastern Caroline Islands. Small clusters of colonies are found sporadically on lagoon, pinnacle and seaward reefs. The best places to look are in some current swept lagoon reef passes. Large colonies to at least 1.5m tall in various colors are occasionally found on the deeper seaward slope, most often in the zone between 45 and 60m, where the dropoff often becomes vertical. These seem to grow fast but live short lives. There are many color forms that may be different species. The World Register of Marine Species lists about 249 potentially valid species names worldwide. We have divided up ours by color, but do not imply that those are necessarily different species. Even some that are lumped together in one color may be different species. It is certainly a group that could use more study.
