Finger leather
Sinularia
Also known as Finger Leather Coral, Flexible Leather, Sinularia Leather
SaltwaterCoral
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 9.8 in
- 25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Alcyoniidae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific reefs
Overview
A sessile, hardy leather coral that competes by chemical warfare rather than stinging. Its terpene allelopathy is strong enough to harm nearby corals, especially Acropora and other SPS, which earns it an aggressive rating and makes spacing plus carbon filtration important in a mixed reef.
In the wild
Sinularia leathers form branching finger-like or ruffled lobes and add height and structure to a soft coral reef. They do well under moderate light around 75 to 150 PAR and prefer moderate to strong flow, which helps them shed their waxy coating and keeps detritus from settling in the folds. Place them low to mid on stable rock with room to expand, keeping SPS and delicate corals at a distance.
Good to know
Sinularia is a leather coral in the family Alcyoniidae that stiffens its tissue with tiny calcite spicules called sclerites. Like other leathers it periodically sheds a waxy mucus film, and that shed mucus carries terpene compounds that can irritate or kill neighboring corals through allelopathy. It is one of the more chemically potent softies, so activated carbon is recommended to strip these compounds from the water.
Did you know
Sinularia leathers are among the most studied corals in marine chemistry because their potent terpenoid defense compounds have been screened for antibacterial, antifungal and even anticancer activity in laboratories.
Common questions
What size tank does a Finger leather need?
A Finger leather needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Finger leather need?
A Finger leather is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Finger leather get?
An adult Finger leather reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).
Related species
11.8 in (30 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Cabbage leather coral
Sinularia dura
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11.8 in (30 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Flexible finger leather coral
Sinularia flexibilis
11.8 in (30 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
9.8 in (25 cm)26 gal (100 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Cauliflower colt coral
Klyxum simplex
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11.8 in (30 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Devil's hand leather coral
Lobophytum
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11.8 in (30 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Toadstool leather
Sarcophyton
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Cladiella
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