[Rael]

I received a coral mail order that is broken. It was a tree coral (orange) with a thick stalk that apparently has a tear right at the base so it slumps over. Could I save it by slicing it right above the tear and re-attaching it to the rock or is it a goner?

[Lowej82]

I would try it.

[e_baer]

is it a Nephthea sp. (yellow tree coral, except orange) or Capnella sp. (kenya tree)?

[Rael]

Not sure, still new to the game. It was on this page listed as an orange tree coral at the bottom of the page.

[e_baer]

yeah, looks more like a Nephthea sp.

I would go ahead nad try to cut that peice off. Some of the other tree corals are extremely difficult to keep and fragging it so soon may end up killing it. But with the one you have, I think it would be fine.

[pogodzib]

That is a type/variation of chili coral. It is non-photosynthetic and prefers to be kept in low light areas. If kept under bright light, it may not open up so keep it under a cave. It should frag ok, but it is a difficult coral for most people to keep since it needs spot feedings for food instead of just light. Being placed in a high flow area will also help bring it food through the water column to help it's survival chances.