Flexible finger leather coral
Sinularia flexibilis
Also known as Finger Leather Coral, Flexible Leather Coral, Spaghetti Leather Coral, Slimy Leather Coral, Sinularia
SaltwaterCoral
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 gal
- 150 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Photosynthetic
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Very common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Alcyoniidae
- Origin
- Found on shallow Indo-Pacific reefs and lagoons from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to the western Pacific.
Overview
The flexible finger leather coral is a hardy, fast-growing soft coral for the lower part of a reef tank. It is easy enough for a beginner, but its chemistry needs managing in a mixed reef.
Did you know
The flexible finger leather coral is one of the most studied corals for its chemistry. Its terpenes are potent enough that researchers have studied them for drug compounds.
Caring for the flexible finger leather coral
Give the flexible finger leather coral moderate light and moderate flow, though it tolerates a wide range. Keep it in a reef of 40 gal (150 L) or larger.
Hold the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4, and keep the salinity stable. It relies on zooxanthellae and needs no special feeding.
This is the most chemically toxic of the common leathers. Its terpene compounds are toxic to many stony corals, including Acropora, Euphyllia, Plerogyra and Porites. Run well-maintained activated carbon at all times, because it can quietly stunt nearby Acropora if the carbon is not kept fresh. Give it clear space from sensitive stony corals.
It closes up now and then and sheds a surface film before it reopens, which is normal. When the polyps close, the whole colony can slim down and slump. It is fine near others of its own kind.
Good to know
Sinularia flexibilis is a soft coral in the family Alcyoniidae. It grows a low base that sprouts many long, thin, drooping fingers, and these flex and sway in the current. It is usually cream, tan or soft green and stays supple, with feeding polyps dotting the fingers. The thin, flexible fingers set it apart from stubbier leathers such as Lobophytum.
In the wild
The flexible finger leather coral is found on shallow Indo-Pacific reefs and lagoons, from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to the western Pacific. Its chemical warfare helps it hold space on the reef.
Common questions
What size tank does a flexible finger leather coral need?
A flexible finger leather coral needs at least 40 gal (150 L).
What temperature and pH does a flexible finger leather coral need?
A flexible finger leather coral is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a flexible finger leather coral eat?
A flexible finger leather coral relies on zooxanthellae for its food. It needs no special feeding.
How big does a flexible finger leather coral get?
An adult flexible finger leather coral reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
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