Dead man's fingers
Alcyonium digitatum
Family : Alcyoniidae
Dead man's fingers is a soft coral shaped like fingers, common on European coasts. It is suitable for temperate aquariums.
Description
Alcyonium digitatum forms fleshy finger-like colonies, white, gray or yellowish. Its polyps are retractile and form tufts on the surface. It lacks zooxanthellae and feeds on plankton. It can survive in cold waters (10-20°C). It is very hardy and can colonize hard substrates. Its growth is slow. It produces chemical substances that can inhibit other organisms. It is often used as a water quality indicator.
Habitat
Region :
Rocky bottoms, moderate current areas, from intertidal to 50 m
Distribution :
Recommended parameters
Care
Care notes
This coral requires a temperate (18-24°C) or cold aquarium. Low to moderate lighting is sufficient. Moderate flow to bring food. pH 8.0-8.4, salinity 1.023-1.025. Nitrates <20 ppm, phosphates <0.1 ppm. Feed with phytoplankton and zooplankton. It tolerates moderate variations. Avoid high temperatures (>25°C). It can be kept with temperate fish. Propagation by fragmentation. Caution: it may release toxins when stressed, use activated carbon.
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