Just like Rhizophora mucronata, C. tagal also is said to be pollinated by bees. The viviparous fruit develops an emerging hypocotyl while still on the tree, forming a long tube with a heavy end pointed at the ground. When the fruit has matured, the seed drops and sticks in the mud and so germination takes place. If not, the seed is carried away by the tides, and then at low tide, the seed is inserted in the mud further away from the mother plant, to germinate.

The interesting ecological factor of the mangrove, is how they interact with the root crabs (Goniopsis spp.). The mangrove does not thrive in anaerobic mud banks, but does well in aerobic mud. The mangrove often drops older leaves on to the ground where the crabs grab them for food. Therefore, the crabs indirectly aerate the mud, by opening small holes for shelter under the tree. These crabs also benefit the trees by removing dead organic material under the trees, such as dead roots.