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
- 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
It is a hardy, fast-growing beginner coral for a 150 liter or larger reef with moderate light and moderate flow, though it tolerates a wide range. Keep temperature 24 to 27 C, pH 8.1 to 8.4, and stable salinity. Because it is the most chemically toxic of the common leathers, run well-maintained activated carbon at all times and give it clear space from sensitive stony corals. It periodically closes and sheds a surface film before reopening, which is normal.
In the wild
A soft leather coral that grows a low base sprouting many long, thin, drooping fingers that flex and sway in the current. It is usually cream, tan, or soft green and stays supple, with feeding polyps dotting the fingers. When the polyps close the whole colony can slim down and slump. The thin flexible fingers separate it from the stubbier leathers like Lobophytum.
Good to know
Sinularia flexibilis is a soft coral in the family Alcyoniidae and one of the most studied for its chemistry. It produces terpene compounds that are toxic to many stony corals, including Acropora, Euphyllia, Plerogyra, and Porites, a form of chemical warfare that helps it hold space on the reef. It relies on zooxanthellae and needs no special feeding.
Did you know
Its terpene chemistry is potent enough that researchers have studied it for drug compounds, and in a mixed reef it can quietly stunt nearby Acropora if the carbon is not kept fresh.
Common questions
What size tank does a Flexible finger leather coral need?
A Flexible finger leather coral needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
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.
How big does a Flexible finger leather coral get?
An adult Flexible finger leather coral reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
Related species
11.8 in (30 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Cabbage leather coral
Sinularia dura
11.8 in (30 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
9.8 in (25 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Finger leather
Sinularia
9.8 in (25 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Devil's hand leather coral
Lobophytum
11.8 in (30 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Toadstool leather
Sarcophyton
11.8 in (30 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
9.8 in (25 cm)26 gal (100 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Cauliflower colt coral
Klyxum simplex
9.8 in (25 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Colt coral
Cladiella
11.8 in (30 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)