Soft Coral :

Soft Coral Facts and Information

Types of Soft Corals, Order Alcyonacea

courtesy to : www.animal-world.com

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Palm Tree PolypsClavularia Sp.

The Soft Corals are the softer, more flexible animals that provide an attractive visual compliment to reef landscapes all around the world!

Soft corals are some of the most attractive corals found in the world's oceans. They are quite fascinating, taking many exotic forms and often have a very rich and colorful palette. Soft corals have all the colors of the rainbow, but their predominant hues are rust, red, orange, yellow, olive and purple.

Like the stony corals, Soft Corals are Cnidarians, meaning stinging celled animals. The familiar aquarium soft corals belong in the Family Alcyoniidae under the Alcyonacea Order. These are considered to be the "true" soft corals, yet they are just a part of this very large group. The Alcyonacea Order itself is part of the Subclass Octocorallia, known as Octocorals, and this entire subclass is also often loosely referred to as "soft corals".

There are approximately 800 species of Soft Corals and more than 1200 known species of Gorgonians. With so many different species, it is easy to see why not all are considered to be easy keepers. So be sure to learn about the type of soft coral you wish to keep to have a successful experience.

Soft Coral Facts :

Soft Corals are quite numerous throughout the waters of the world, primarily in tropical waters. They are principally found in intertidal zones though a few live at depths of 650 feet (200 m) or more.

Soft corals are found on inner reefs, at depths just below the stony corals. They inhabit mostly dim areas, like underneath rocky outcrops or in caverns. They are not usually the dominant coral on many areas of the reef, but can be in areas where there is a lot of sediment.

Small cuttings of soft corals are easily collected from the wild. They are less prone to damage or ailments from collecting and shipping than the stony corals. Many species thrive and will grow quickly in captivity. Many of the popular soft corals are successfully propagated in captivity.

What Are Soft Corals? :

Soft corals are Cnidarians, which means stinging celled animals. They are also members of the Subclass Octocorallia, known as the Octocorals. These are corals that generally have eight-fold symmetry or eight-branched tentacles in their polyp structure.

The soft corals are primarily colonial sessile animals, with the exception of members from the Xeniidae family. Sessile meaning they are anchored firmly to the substrate, and from there they can be either erect or encrusting. They can have either a fleshy or leather-like texture and include some of the most vibrantly colored corals. Soft corals have all the colors of the rainbow, but predominant hues are rust, red, orange, yellow, olive and purple.

There is a broad spectrum of shapes, but all soft corals have the same morphology. The hermatypic, or reef building corals, are the stony corals. Soft Corals are not reef building corals. They are called "soft" because unlike the stony corals, they do not have a rigid calcium carbonate skeleton. They are composed mostly of living tissue, though they do have tiny calcareous components called sclerites.

The sclerites are spiny skeletal elements embedded within the tissue. They help to give soft corals some support and add a grainy texture, and they are also used to help identify them. Though soft corals don't add large calcareous masses to the reef like stony corals do, their sclerites do add large amounts of sediment to the reef.

Their entire surface, known as the coenenchyme, is covered with small polyps. There are two types of polyps, the autozooids and the siphonozooids.

- Autozooid Polyps:
The polyps known as autozooids have eight pinnate tentacles and eight septae. Their role is to acquire food for the colony. The tentacles capture the prey, primarily planktonic foods from the water column, and move it to the mouth in the center. The eight septae are equal sized compartments with interconnecting channels that distribute the food throughout the colony.

- Siphonozooid Polyps :

The second type of polyp is known as siphonozooids. It has reduced tentacles and cilia, along with an oral cavity. Its job is to pump water into the body of the colony, which supplies oxygen and also helps so keep the soft coral erect.

Types of Soft Coral :

There are many types of soft coral. They are all members of the Order:Alcyonacea. The Order Alcyonacea is part of the Subclass Octocorallia, known as the Octocorals. These are corals with eight-branched tentacles in their polyp structure. Alcyonacea order is further divided into several families and suborders, which include not only the Soft Corals, but also the Gorgonians.

The systematic classification of the Octocorals involves a huge, highly complex, and diverse group which at present is considered poorly understood and understudied. Current taxonomy is under constant flux. For example, the Gorgonians have been moved between the Order Gorgonaria, to more recently being placed as a Suborder under Alcyonacea order. So it is to be expected that classifications will continue to change. In fact many experts are in favor of a complete revision.

Subclass: Octocorallia - Corals with eight-branched tentacles and eight septae in their polyp structure

Order: Alcyonacea - Includes the Soft Corals, Leather Corals, and Gorgonians (sea fans and sea whips)

Family: Astrospiculariidae This family consists of only one genus from the Pacific Ocean. They are bushy looking, low growing corals that are usually green. They are not yet known in the aquarium trade.
Family Clavulariidae (Hickson, 1894) This family consist of a quite a few diverse corals, contained in four subfamilies. Those most familiar in the aquarium belong in the Subfamily Clavulariinae, though this is a very ‘loosely' defined group. Their polyps can have long tall stalks, topped with either feathery tentacles are stark tentacles, but giving them the look similar to the feather duster worm. They have a poor record of survivability in the aquarium. Common names include Clove Polyps, Glove Polyps, Palm Tree Polyps, and Fern Polyps.
Family: Nephtheidae These are some of the most colorful and ‘fluffy' of the soft corals. They can be bushy or tree-like and come in beautiful hues of red, pink, yellow, and purple. Being branched and tree-like, they are known by such names as Carnation Coral, Tree Coral, and Colt Soft Coral
Family Siphonogorgiidae These are commonly known as the China Corals. They form large tall colonies with many thin, brittle branches. Their colors are typically red with contrasting white or yellow polyps. They can look like beautifully colored fans, superficially resembling Gorgonians from the Pacific. They are very rarely available.
Family Xeniidae (Ehrenberg, 1828)This family has both pulsing and non-pulsing varieties. Their colors can be white, brown, or a blue hue. Many varieties have long feather-like tentacles and their polyps will pump water into the colony, creating a rhythmic pulsing motion. They are known by such names as Pulsing Xenia, Waving Hand Coral, Glove Coral, Pulse Coral, and Pom-Pom Xenia.

Suborders under the Alcyonacea - Includes the Leather Corals and Gorgonians

Suborder: Alcyoniina
   Family: Alcyoniidae - Leather Corals
   These are soft corals that are mostly referred to as the Leather Corals. This family includes some of the hardiest aquarium coral species. They are often found in areas of high nutrients and lower water quality than others, which lends to being excellent beginners soft corals. They are known for being thick and encrusting and for their leathery skin. They can grow very large and take on many forms.
   Genus: Alcyonium
   This genus is extremely variable and can have many forms including branched, fingered, ridged, and lobed. Their colors are usually yellow, brown or grayish, but can be other hues as well, and very vibrant. Common names often reflect their shapes and colors including such things as Finger Leather Coral, Encrusting Leather Coral, Dead Man's Fingers, Hand Coral, and Seaman's Hand Coral.
   Genus: Lobophytum
   Genus: Sinularia
   Genus: Cladiella
   Genus: Sarcophyton

Suborder: Calcaxonia - Gorgonians
Suborder: Holaxonia - Gorgonians
Suborder: Scleraxonia - Gorgonians

Soft Corals for Beginners :

Soft corals include many of the easy to care for coral favorites. Many types of soft corals are quite hardy, especially the Leather Corals in the Sarcophyton, Lobophytum, Sinularia, and Cladiella genera. The Leather Corals are some of the best beginner aquarium soft corals. They are generally very hardy though they do need a typical reef aquarium environment. Most leather corals need a moderate to strong water flow and tend to do well under various types of reef tank fluorescent lighting. Metal halides are not needed.

Some of the Leather Corals are commonly Finger Leather Coral, Toadstool Leather Coral, Mushroom Leather Coral, Cup Leather Coral, Cabbage Leather Coral, Flexible Leather Coral, Knobby Finger Coral, and the Ridged and Lobed Leather Corals. They tend to have a more leathery feel, while other Soft Corals tend to be sticky or slimy to the touch.

Some of the most popular Leather Corals include:

Colt Coral - Cladiella Sp.
Common Toadstool Coral - Sarcophyton glaucum
Yellow Leather Coral - Sarcophyton elegans
Yellow Toadstool Leather Coral - Sarcophyton tenuispiculatum
Elephant Ear Coral - Sarcophyton trocheliophorum
Cabbage Leather Coral - Lobophytum crassum
Devil's Hand Coral - Lobophytum Sp.
Cabbage Leather Coral - Sinularia dura
Finger Leather Coral - Sinularia notanda
Flexible Leather Coral - Sinularia flexibilis

Other popular, but slightly more difficult to keep soft coral varieties include :

The pretty Carnation Corals
Kenya Tree Coral
Tree Coral
Colt Soft Coral, also known as the Finger Leather Coral
Palm Tree Polyps or Glove Polyps
Green Star Polyps
The Xenia species are also sought after, especially the fascinating Pulsing Xenia.

Besides the best-known varieties, there are hundreds of other types of soft corals. Each of these beautiful animals will have care requirements that are just as diverse as they are. Consequently not all soft corals are easy keepers. It is very important to learn about the soft coral species you keep for a successful reef aquarium.

Soft Coral Care :

Many of the soft corals are quite hardy and some of the easiest corals to keep. A beginner aquarium soft coral will grow into a beautiful, impressive specimen in the reef tank. They are very commonly available and considered to be some of the best beginner corals.

A typical reef environment is what is needed for soft corals. Provide moderate to strong lighting and a good water flow. They need good water quality maintained, so a protein skimmer and frequent water changes are very helpful. Follow this up with the particular care parameters for the species you are keeping.

Despite their great track record in the aquarium, be aware that all Octocorals produce toxins. Like other corals, these toxins can be released to ward off competition for space. Some are highly toxic while the toxins other produce is very minimal. The impact of these toxins is often reported as aquarists find their stony corals receding when kept with too many, or in some cases, any soft corals.

Excellent filtration with a protein skimmer, along with activated carbon, can help to remove and control some of the toxin. But soft corals can do best when kept in a tank dedicated to softies, or with a very minimal mix with other corals, depending on the type and space available.

Feeding Soft Corals:

Like the stony corals, the majority of the soft corals obtain their nutrition from multiple sources. Most species receive nutrients through a symbiotic relationship with marine algae, known as zooxanthellae. They also capture planktonic organisms and microscopic food particles from the water column and can absorb dissolved organic matter.

Most species live in symbiosis with the marine algae, zooxanthellae, and will derive the majority of their nutrition from it. But in captivity they usually will eagerly accept small foods like brine shrimp and plankton as well. They will benefit from occasionally soaking food in vitamins as well.

It is common for soft corals to change forms, even within a single species, to adjust to different water flows and types of prey. The polyps can completely retract into the surface. Extending and retracting to capture prey can create an interesting pulsing type action. This is especially notable in the Xeniidae family, as is commonly seen in the popular "Pulsing Xenias".

References :

Animal-World References: Marine and Reef
Harry Erhardt and Horst Moosleitner, Marine Atlas Volume 2, Invertebrates (Baensch Marine Atlas), Mergus Verlag GmbH, Revised edition, 2005
Eric Borneman, Aquarium Corals : Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History , TFH Publications, 2001
Bob Fenner, The Soft Corals, Order Alcyonacea; Use In Marine Aquariums,WetWebMedia.com

Soft corals are the ‘non-reefbuilding’ corals of the reef. When they die, they melt away completely leaving no skeleton behind. This lack of skeleton gives the corals a much greater degree of flexibility and a softer feel than their skeleton growing counterparts, from which their common name of ‘Soft Corals’ is derived. These corals are also some of the most popular and most commonly available corals found in our hobby. This guide will focus on the photosynthetic softies, which are generally considered very easy to keep. Non-photosynthetic soft corals such as brilliantly colored Carnation Corals or many of the Gorgonians are also commonly available, but are much more difficult to keep because of their feeding requirements.

Easy to keep photosynthetic soft corals include such popular corals as the mushrooms, zoanthids, leathers, star polyps, pipe organ, xenia, and many others. Many of these corals, such as zoanthids and mushrooms, are also commonly referred to as soft polyps. They are all fairly easy to care for, having lower lighting requirements than many other corals and being much more tolerant of ‘dirty’ water. Most are fast growing and easy to frag which makes them ideal for those looking to begin experimenting with coral propagation in their tanks.

Sinularia Genera in the Wild

Sinularia genera

courtesy to : www.pacificeastaquaculture.com

Care Level :

Easy

Aggresiveness :

Low. They may however be fast growing and can at time overtake nearby corals simply by growing over them

Lighting Requirements :

Moderate. Some specimens can be prone to bleaching under excess, or sometimes just new, lighting conditions. Acclimate carefully for best results

Water Flow :

Low to moderate flow

Tank Placement :

Low to Mid tank

Water Quality :

Most softies are not only tolerant of ‘dirty’ water, but may exhibit better growth under such conditions where they can absorb some nutrients directly from the water.

Special Notes :

Some soft corals, such as Xenia, can grow so fast they take over. Make sure to give them some space, and be prepared to trim aggressively to keep them in check if this becomes the case in your tank.

Soft Corals: Corals That Paved the Way for Modern Day Reefkeeping

courtesy to : www.reefkeeping.com

What Happened to all the Soft Corals?

The first reef aquarium I ever encountered was quite a sight to behold. It was filled with a variety of colorful soft corals, the polyps and branches swaying to the rhythmic pulse of the currents. This aquarium caught my attention because it was so fluid; I was entranced. It was this tank that convinced me to set up a reef aquarium. Tanks featuring soft corals were all too common around that time. In fact, rarely did I see an Acropora or any other small polyped stony corals for sale at the local fish store. I remember that these types of stony corals were still considered very challenging and best left to knowledgeable reefkeepers with the best resources and husbandry skills.

My how things have changed! Significant improvements in reef aquarium technology and a better understanding of the needs of stony corals have allowed us to progress to a time where Acropora and other stony corals can not only survive, but also thrive. These significant strides in the hobby have led to mass propagation of these corals, allowing fragments to be shared with other reefkeepers. Today, tanks dominated by small-mouthed stony corals are everywhere one looks. Brilliant colors and shapes certainly make these tanks a sight to behold. But along the way, I've noticed a general decline in the number of aquaria dedicated to the corals that paved the way for the current state of our hobby. Rarely do I see a tank dedicated to soft corals anymore, and I feel that this is somewhat of a shame. The variety and beauty found among the Octocorallia are quite considerable, yet contemporary aquarists rarely incorporate many of these corals in a reef aquarium. This article is for those who still take the time and resources to appreciate these corals, and to also encourage others to perhaps dedicate an aquarium for them.

Why Keep Soft Corals?

Based on the husbandry skills needed to keep this group, soft corals have a lot going for them. With the exception of the non-photosynthetic species, many of the commonly available soft corals are more forgiving and easier to care for than smaller polyped stony corals. These include the Leather Corals (Alcyonidae), False Leathers (Paralcyonidae), Zoanthus spp., Rhodactis spp., Ricordea spp., andDiscosoma spp. They will thrive under a variety of available fluorescent lighting fixtures, and tolerate lower flow rates than seen in typical small polyped stony coral aquariums. A total turnover of approximately ten times the total tank volume is more than adequate. Calcium demand is also much lower in a softie tank. One can avoid the need for a calcium reactor, as kalkwasser or a simple two-part additive solution will suffice. As a result of their more modest requirements, a reef aquarium dedicated to the "easier" varieties of soft corals is an ideal set up for a budding marine aquarist or someone that lacks the desire for a complicated display system.

Soft corals also break up the monotony of the rigid stony corals. They offer movement and a different appearance. I remember while entertaining guests, how the first thing my company usually noticed in my previous tank was the large Colt coral swaying back and forth, or the carpet of green star polyps rustling in the current. Rarely would I ever hear a comment about the beautiful purple branchy Acropora colony growing nearby.

An interesting trait of some soft corals is that they are very toxic or distasteful to potential predators. Aquarists usually worry about the possible threats these chemicals pose to their stony coral colonies. However, it can be an asset in certain applications. Particularly noxious corals, such asSarcophyton and Lobophytum spp., are usually unpalatable to many opportunistic corallivores, such as certain Angelfish and Butterflyfish. Both of these types of fish can wreak havoc on less toxic varieties of soft and stony corals, but one could create a wonderful reef display with these fish by choosing only toxic soft coral varieties. It should be noted that some corallivores, like the Teardrop Butterflyfish (Chaetodon unimaculatus) are unaffected by the majority of soft coral toxins. Furthermore, many Butterflyfish are obligate corallivores, which makes them poor candidates for captivity. On the other hand, some of the available species in these two families will readily adapt to food offered by the aquarist. However, their occasional nips on coral specimens can add up to a lot of damage in a confined reef aquarium. In such a scenario, the use of more toxic varieties of soft corals could allow for a pleasing display without much damage from tankmates' feeding habits. Clownfish will also adopt many soft corals as surrogate hosts when a suitable anemone isn't available. This offers a neophyte aquarist a clownfish host alternative to the more delicate anemone species.

Lately, there are signs of a renewed interest in soft corals. There is a great demand for colorfulRicordea, Corallimorphs, and Zoanthus spp. Hopefully, we'll see more soft coral dominant tanks in the future. They are an attractive alternative to the multitudes of small polyped stony coral dominant tanks.

A beautiful soft coral, most probably a Nepthea sp. Note the
bright flourescence.

A magnificient photo of a beautiful zoanthid and Ricordea spp. dominated tank.

A final word about soft corals: in this article I have categorized them into a broad group. It is important to note that individual species can have vastly different requirements to thrive. Please research the requirements and needs of the corals you wish to purchase, and any livestock, for that matter. Some notable softies to avoid are the Dendronephthya, Scleronephthya, and other aposymbiotic soft corals. Some heterotrophic softies are able to thrive in a reef aquarium, but are less forgiving than the softies mentioned in this article. For example, I have found that Gorgonians andXenia are a little more demanding when it comes to light and current. Always decide first what you intend to keep and then design your aquarium accordingly.

The beauty of a soft coral dominated tank is clearly seen in this wonderful photo of Ryan's tank.

Japanese Style Soft Coral Reefscape

Soft Corals:

Types of Soft Coral in the Family Alcyoniidae

Pulsing Xenia Coral

The true Soft Corals are beautiful corals, where each polyp has side branches that give it a feathery look!

The hobbyist idea of "soft corals" refers to the true Soft Corals. The true soft corals consist of many beautiful species that occur in all the colors of the rainbow and come in all sorts of attractive shapes. Soft Corals are quite dynamic in the reef aquarium. Besides being very attractive and colorful, they can change form and create a lively motion. They will expand and deflate their bodies as well as extend and retract their tentacles.

To the hobbyist soft corals are those that lack a hard skeleton, like the hard corals or stony corals. The true soft corals also don't have a tough skin like the Leather Corals. This is basically what we are listing in this section. There are many well known favorites that make great soft corals for beginners. Leather Corals, another group of soft corals, also make great beginner corals.

What is a Soft Coral

Soft Coral Facts

Like the stony corals, soft corals are Cnidarians meaning stinging celled animals. They are also members of the Subclass Octocorallia, known as the Octocorals. These are corals with eight-branched tentacles in their polyp structure. Another characteristic of true soft corals are the side branches of the polyp tentacle, called 'pinnules', which give the polyps a feathery look. Although pinnules are a sure sign of a soft coral, not all soft corals have them..

Soft Corals for Beginners :

Types of Soft Coral

The soft corals include many easy to care for favorites. Some soft corals for beginners include varieties like:

Carnation Coral - Dendronephthya sp.
Finger Leather Cora -l Alcyonium sp.
Kenya Tree Cora -l Capnella sp.
Tree Coral -Lemnalia sp.
Palm Tree Polyps or Glove Polyps - Clavularia viridis
Pulse Corals -Xenia sp.
Waving Hand Coral - Anthelia sp.

Leather Corals are also great beginner soft corals, varieties like:

Colt Coral - Cladiella Sp.
Common Toadstool Coral - Sarcophyton glaucum
Yellow Leather Coral - Sarcophyton elegans
Yellow Toadstool Leather Coral - Sarcophyton tenuispiculatum
Elephant Ear Coral - Sarcophyton trocheliophorum
Cabbage Leather Coral - Lobophytum crassum
Devil's Hand Coral - Lobophytum Sp.
Cabbage Leather Coral - Sinularia dura
Finger Leather Coral - Sinularia notanda
Flexible Leather Coral - Sinularia flexibilis

Soft Coral Care :

Soft corals are favored by reef aquarists and quite a few make great beginner corals. Many readily available species are easy to keep with great success. Provide adequate lighting and a medium to strong current. A protein skimmer and frequent water changes are also very helpful.

Many species live in symbiosis with the marine algae, zooxanthellae. Those that contain zooxanthellae need a lot of light. On the other hand many of them, like the carnation corals, grow on the underside of reef ledges or shaded areas and don't require light.

Feeding Soft Corals

Soft corals that contain zooxanthellae also derive the majority of their nutrition from it. Most will eagerly accept small foods like brine shrimp and plankton as well. They usually must be fed to survive in the aquarium.

Family: Alcyoniidae

1- Dead Man's Finger Coral

Finger Leather Coral, Colt Coral
Encrusting Leather Coral, Chili Pepper Coral

Family: Alcyoniidae

Alcyonium sp.

The familiar Finger Leather Coral is a favorite soft coral, renowned for being very easy to care for and fast growing!

The Finger Leather Coral Alcyonium sp. makes a great beginner soft coral. Warm or cool water, bright to low light, these corals accept a wide variety of environments, depending on the species you may want. TheAlcyonium genus has species that are found in subtropical, temperate, and warm waters. Basically they are found worldwide, and the bonus is they are easy to care for.

As with all soft coral however, identifying this genus can be confusing, even to experts. These corals have been divided into more and more genus categories as time goes on. For example, the Alcyonium genus was once joined with the Cladiella, which is a similar genus. Also another species, Parerythropodium fulvum fulvum was at one point thought to be part of the Alcyonium genus. Indeed, in some cases the distinctions can only be determined by microscopic examination.

The Alcyonium species grow upright with or without a stalk, yet colonies are small. They have a widely variable growth pattern, but are most often encrusting and lobate. Lobate means they form several roundish, flattish short projections that are separated by a gap or fissure. Yet they can have finger like or globular projections as well, contributing to the mass confusion of these corals. Their color is usually pale brown, dark brown, or gray; but colors can be yellow, green, red, and orange, or a variety of hues within these colors. The polyps can be the same color or a contrasting color of the main body.

Although they are part of the leather coral family Alcyoniidae, the Finger Leather Corals Alcyonium sp. differ from other Leather Corals because they are slimy to touch rather than leathery. Therefore we have included them in with the Soft Corals. Some common names these corals are known for are Finger Leather Coral, Dead Man's Finger Coral, Chili Pepper Coral, Encrusting Leather Coral, Bushy Soft Coral, Seaman's Hand Coral, Yellow Bush Coral, and at times, when there is an unidentified coral, it is called a Colt Coral.

The Alcyonium genus is very easy to care for and can be recommended for beginners. Just make sure you get the species you want. Cold water species must be provided with a cool water environment, which will mean having a chiller for the reef aquarium system. Don't mistakenly get a cold water species for a normal tropical reef tank, or it will die in that environment in about 2 weeks. You can also wait at least that long to see how it is doing before buying.

Scientific name :

Family: Alcyoniidae
Species: Alcyonium sp.

Distribution / Background :

Soft Coral Information: The Alcyonium genus was described by de Blainville in 1930. There are quite a number of species currently ascribed to this genus, about 50 or so. Some of the more common species include A. complanatum, A. digitatum, A. fulvum,A. molle, A. sidereum, A. aurantiacum, A. gelatinosum, A. glomeratum, A. palmatum, A. pulmonaria, A. rudyi, and A. schlosseri.

Some common names the Alcyonium corals are known for are are Finger Leather Coral, Dead Man's Finger Coral, Chili Pepper Coral, Encrusting Leather Coral, Bushy Soft Coral, Seaman's Hand Coral, Yellow Bush Coral, and at times, when there is an unidentified coral, it is called a Colt Coral. The Alcyonium genus has been propagated in captivity.

As with all soft coral, identifying this genus can be confusing even to experts. These corals have been divided into more and more genus categories as time goes on. For example, the Alcyonium genus was once joined with theCladiella genus. The species Parerythropodium fulvum fulvum was at one point thought to be part of the Alcyoniumgenus.

Where Alcyonium Corals Are Found: The Alcyonium genus are found in the warm tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific and the cold waters of the North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, British Isles, and the Mediterranean.

Alcyonium Coral Habitat: The Alcyonium genus are found in calm, yet turbid waters from depths of 10 to 130 feet (3 - 40 m).

Status : The Alcyonium genus is not on the IUCN Red List for Endangered Species.

Description :

What do Alcyonium Corals look like: The Alcyonium genus grows upright with or without a stalk, yet colonies are small. They have a widely variable growth pattern, but the Alcyonium genus is most often encrusting and lobate, which means they form several roundish, flattish short projections that are separated by a gap or fissure. They can have finger like or globular projections as well, contributing the the mass confusion of these corals!

These corals are completely an autozooid type, which means all of their polyps are used for feeding, and none for movement of water. They grow to about 6" (15 cm) tall. Their colors can be yellow, green, red, orange, brown, or a variety of hues within these colors. The polyps be the same color or a contrasting color of the main body, such as brown, pinkish white, white, etc.

Difficulty of Care :

Soft Coral Care: The tropical Finger Leather Coral Alcyonium sp. is very easy to care for and can be recommended for beginners. Their only requirements are a low to average water flow and moderate lighting. A. digitatum, A. glomeratum, A. hibenicum, and A. palmatum are all cold water species. If kept in a typical tropical aquarium, they will die within a few weeks. They must be provided with a cool water environment, which will mean having a chiller for the reef aquarium system.

Foods / Feeding :

Soft Coral Feeding: In the wild, Alcyonium corals have developed several feeding strategies. They capture microscopic food particles from the water column and can absorb dissolved organic matter. Those most commonly seen in the aquarium trade have a symbiotic relationship with a marine algae known as zooxanthellae, where they also receive some of their nutrients. These are photosynthetic. Deep water species and those from temperate climates may not have this symbiotic relationship. These types, known as aposymbiotic, do not receive nutrition from this source.

In captivity, depending on the species, they only eat only phytoplankton or zooplankton. You may test your specimen and make a determination. Feed accordingly. According to one study, A. siderium is known to capture and eat brine shrimp in the wild.

Aquarium Care :

Stable tank conditions are needed to keep the Alcyonium genus. Doing water changes of 20% a month or 10% biweekly is needed, although it is suggested that doing 5% water changes once a week will replenish many of the needed additives. Calcium and other trace elements can be added to maintain proper levels for good growth.

Suggested levels for Alcyonium species are:

Calcium: 400 - 450 ppm
Alkalinity: 3.2 - 4.8 MEQ/L (8 to 11 dKh - 10 is recommended)
Phosphates: 0, zero.
Magnesium: 1200 - 1350 ppm. (Magnesium makes calcium available, so if your calcium is low, check your magnesium levels before adding any more calcium.)
Strontium: 8 - 10

Aquarium Parameters :

A typical live rock/reef environment is what is needed for your Finger Leather Coral, along with some fish for organic matter production. Most Alcyonium sp.commonly available are tropical corals. If you obtain a cold water species, they must be provided with a cool water environment which will mean having a chiller for the reef aquarium system.

Provide proper lighting and water movement. A low to average water flow and moderate lighting is what is needed. Finger Leather Corals are peaceful toward other soft corals.

Minimum Tank Size / Length: Warm water species: 50 gallon (190 L) or largerCold water species: 10 gallon (38 L) or larger
Marine Lighting:Warm water species: ModerateCold water species: Any
Temperature:Warm water species: 78° - 84° F (25° - 29° C)Cold water species: 40° - 39° F (4° - 15° C)
Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025
Water Movement: Low
Water Region: Bottom of the aquarium

Compatibility and Social Behaviors :

The Finger Leather Coral is peaceful toward, and will get along with other soft corals. Make sure corals that are nearby do not get shaded by this fast growing coral.

Sex - Sexual differences No sexual difference in appearance is known.

Breeding and Reproduction :

The Alcyonium genus, depending on species, may release gametes into the water annually. This is true of A. digitatum, which is a temperate species while A. hibernicum has sort of an internal brooding going on. Like other soft corals, the Alcyonium genus may also use several different forms of reproduction such as fission, fragmenting and/or branch dropping.

To propagate your Finger Leather Coral, first make sure it is healthy.

Small Frag: To frag a small piece you may use a pair of very sharp scissors or a scalpel. Just simply cut a small forked frag away from the mother colony while still in the tank. (1-2" frag size). Loosely rubber band the frag between branches and affix it to a small piece of rubble that has a natural indent or a plug.
Large Frag: For larger fragging, the Finger Leather Coral should have all polyps retracted before proceeding. Remove the coral from the tank and quickly perform the fragmentation from a mother colony with a clean razor, scalpel, or knife. (Scissors can damage tissue from larger fragging cuts.) The frag can be glued, tied, sewn to a rock or plug, or just set on rubble where the current will not take them away, but will help them heal. Provide a bath of clean temperature and salinity adjusted water (same as main tank) with a little iodine before returning to the tank. This bath will help clear out the mucous that the leather will produce from this procedure. Return the Finger Leather Coral to the same spot it was in before fragging and discard bath water. Placement will depend on the size and shape of the frag. But at the very minimum place it close to where the mother colony is located, perhaps using the mother colony to block a water flow that is too quick for the frag.

With both procedures, the coral will more than likely deflate. With good water flow it will recover. Corals can emit nasty and at times noxious odor, so be sure there is good ventilation. Clean up any mucous when finished to prevent any possible health problems.

Potential Problems :

The Alcyonium genus is hardy and very easy to care for. However coral diseases are commonly caused by stress, shock (like pouring freshwater into the tank and it coming in contact with the coral), and incompatible tank mates including specific fish, or pests. Here are treatment suggestions for some ailments:

Flatworms, brown jelly infections, and cyanobacteria: Treat with a freshwater dip of 1 to 3 minutes with chlorine free freshwater of the same temperature and PH as the main display.
Cyanobacteria and brown jelly infections:These can also be treated with Neomycin sulfite, Kanamycin and other broad-spectrum antibiotics. The pill can be pulverized into a fine powder, mixed with sea water to make a paste, and then applied to the wound, or affected site of the coral with a simple artists brush.
To prevent necrosis, and fight black band disease: The corals can be treated with Tetracycline at 10 mg per quart/liter according to one author. Other cures include lugol's dips at 5-10 drops of 5% Lugol's solution per quart/liter of newly mixed sea water that has been mixing for 10-20 minutes. Start with a 10 minute dip and observe the reaction of the coral. A daily dip can be done until the coral is cured.
Procedure that can save a coral's life if nothing else is working: Amputation of the affected area. This must be done in a separate container consisting of some of the tank's water. Cut slightly into healthy tissue surrounding the diseased flesh then reattach the coral to the substrate with the open wound cemented on part of the reef structure. For wound that are on the side or top, some have used "liquid band aid" or super glue to seal the wound.

Availability :

Soft Corals for Sale: The Finger Leather Coral Alcyonium sp. is very easy to find at pet shops and on line. Online they can run about $30.00 - $60.00 USD and up, depending on size and/or color.

References :

Animal-World References: Marine and Reef
Eric Borneman, Aquarium Corals : Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History , TFH Publications, 2001
Anthony Calfo, Book of Coral Propagation, Volume 1 Edition 2: Reef Gardening for Aquarists, Reading Trees; 2nd edition, 2007
Harry Erhardt and Horst Moosleitner, Marine Atlas Volume 2, Invertebrates (Baensch Marine Atlas), Mergus Verlag GmbH, Revised edition, 2005
Ronald L. Shimek, Guide to Marine Invertebrates: 500+ Essential-to-Know Aquarium Species, Microcosm, 2005
Y. Benayuahu and Y. Loya, Sexual Reproduction of a Soft Coral: Synchronous and Brief Annual Spawning of Sarcophyton glaucum, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Copyright ©2000-2010 JSTOR