Tubipora musica, most commonly known as Pipe Organ corals, are soft corals in the Tubiporidae family. Pipe Organ corals have a unique, hard skeleton of calcium carbonate that contains many organ pipe-like tubes. On each tube is a series of polyps which each have eight feather-like tentacles. These tentacles are usually extended during the day, but will swiftly withdraw with any sort of disturbance. The skeleton is a bright red color, but is typically obscured by numerous polyps. Because of this, living colonies are typically green, blue, or purple due to the color of the expanded polyps.
Pipe Organ corals require high lighting. We recommend 300-350 PAR. Bear in mind that most corals can be gradually adapted to lighting conditions outside of their normal preferences. Pipe Organ corals also prefer moderately strong water flow in which the flow path is alternating.
Through their symbiotic relationship with a photosynthetic algae, known as zooxanthellae, they receive many of their nutrients. To maintain good health, calcium, strontium, and other trace elements should be monitored and added as needed.
When placing your Pipe Organ coral, please remember that these corals aren't aggressive and have no real defense against other corals. Be sure to provide enough personal space for your Pipe Organ corals to grow and thrive.