{{Short description|Family of corals}} {{Automatic taxobox | image = Capnella sp.JPG | image_caption = ''Capnella sp.'' | taxon = Nephtheidae | authority = Gray, 1862 <ref name=WoRMS>{{cite WoRMS |author=van Ofwegen, Leen |year=2010 |title=Nephtheidae |id=146762 |accessdate=2012-01-23 |db=}}</ref> | subdivision_ranks = Genera | subdivision = {{center|See text}} }}
'''Nephtheidae''' is a family of soft corals in the phylum Cnidaria. Members of this family are known as '''carnation corals''', '''tree corals''' or '''colt soft corals'''. They are very attractive and show a wide range of rich and pastel colours including reds, pinks, yellows and purples. They are popular with reef aquarium hobbyists.<ref>[http://www.wetwebmedia.com/soft.htm The Soft Corals, Order Alcyonacea; Use In Reef Aquariums] Wet Web Media. Retrieved 2012-01-23.</ref>
Most of these corals are arborescent and have little knobs on the end of their rubbery branches. The coral polyps tend to retract in the daytime which gives these corals their alternative name of broccoli corals because of their resemblance to the vegetable. At night the polyps emerge and extend their tentacles to feed, looking like little bunches of flowers on the ends of the branches.<ref>[http://therightblue.com/search/label/reefscapes Corals of many colors: The Nephtheidae Family] The Right Blue. Retrieved 2012-01-23.</ref>
==Genera== The World Register of Marine Species includes the following genera in this family:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=146762|title=WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Nephtheidae Gray, 1862|website=marinespecies.org|language=en|access-date=2018-03-24}}</ref> *''Capnella''<small> Gray, 1869</small> *''Chondronephthya''<small> Utinomi, 1960</small> *''Chromonephthea''<small> van Ofwegen, 2005</small> *''Coronephthya''<small> Utinomi, 1966</small> *''Dendronephthya''<small> Kükenthal, 1905</small> *''Drifa'' <small>Danielssen, 1886</small> *''Duva''<small> Koren & Danielssen, 1883</small> *''Eunephthya''<small> Verrill, 1869</small> *''Gersemia''<small> Marenzeller, 1877</small> *''Lemnalia''<small> Gray, 1868</small> *''Litophyton''<small> Forskål, 1775</small> *''Neospongodes''<small> Kükenthal, 1903</small> *''Pacifiphyton''<small> Williams, 1997</small> *''Paralemnalia''<small> Kükenthal, 1913</small> *''Pseudodrifa''<small> Utinomi, 1961</small> *''Scleronephthya''<small> Studer, 1887</small> *''Stereonephthya'' <small>Kükenthal, 1905</small> *''Umbellulifera'' <small>Thomson & Dean, 1931</small>
<gallery style="text-align:center;" mode="packed"> Image:Cauliflower soft coral at Rambler Rock south reef P9078397.JPG|''Capnella thyrsoidea'' Image:White soft coral.jpg|''Dendronephthya klunzingeri'' Image:Soft and noble corals at Barry's Pinnacles PB198243.JPG|''Eunephthya thyrsoidea'' Image:Gersemia antarctica, near McMurdo Station, Ross Island.JPG|''Gersemia antarctica'' Image:Nephthya sp. (Soft tree coral).jpg|''Nephthya sp.'' Image:Scleronephthya sp.jpg|''Scleronephthya sp.'' </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1019291}}
Category:Nephtheidae Category:Taxa named by John Edward Gray Category:Alcyoniina Category:Cnidaria families
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