Sinularia (Finger Leather Coral)

Names & Synonyms

• CommonSinularia (Finger Leather Coral)
• Commonウミキノコモドキ

Overview

Sinularia (family Alcyoniidae) is an octocoral (soft coral) widely distributed across Indo-Pacific reef slopes and lagoons, forming a very large, species-rich genus. It shows diverse growth forms—finger, lobed, and encrusting—with short polyps densely covering the surface. Colors are muted creams, beiges, greens, and purples, and internal sclerites give it a firm texture. It is very easy to keep, favoring moderate to strong lighting and moderate to strong flow as a hardy beginner soft coral. It periodically sheds a surface film to self-clean, closing its polyps during the process, which is normal. It grows quickly and large, so allow ample space. Fragging is easy, but because it releases terpenoid compounds, running activated carbon and allowing spacing is advisable.

Care Specifications

Care Points

• Lighting—Medium LED lighting sufficient
• Flow—Medium flow. Enough to sway polyps
• Propagation—Cut branches and attach to rock to propagate
• Notes—Releases terpenes. Keep distance from other corals

Regulatory & Conservation

Notes:

八放サンゴ(Sinularia, Alcyoniidae)。ソフトコーラル=CITES 非掲載。

Sources

• AlgaeBarn: SPS/LPS/soft care(careSpec)
• AlgaeBarn: Water Parameters 101(careSpec)
• DOC NZ / CITES-listed corals(掲載科に Alcyoniidae 含まず)(regulatory)
• Wikipedia(detail)

Related corals of the same type

Antheliaアンセリア（ウェービングハンド）softBeginnerA soft coral whose feathery polyps sway in flow. Similar to Xenia but with larger, always-open polyps; very hardy.Leather CoralウミキノコsoftBeginnerSoft coral with large mushroom-shaped cap. Hardy and fast-growing. Periodically sheds mucus to remove old tissue.Toadstool CoralカタトサカsoftBeginnerBranching soft coral that is hardy with diverse color variations. Easy to frag and propagate.Pulsing Xeniaキサンゴ（パルスコーラル）softBeginnerUnique soft coral with pulsing polyps that rhythmically open and close. Mesmerizing movement. Hardy and proliferates quickly.Green Star PolypグリーンスターポリプsoftBeginnerA hardy soft coral with green star-shaped polyps on a mat. Beautiful fluorescent green.Cladiella (Colt Coral)クレナクティス（クラディエラ）softBeginnerSoft coral with soft finger-like branches. Also called Colt Coral. Very hardy and fast-growing. White and cream common. Safe choice for beginners.

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External Databases

• WoRMS
• GBIF