Flexible leather coral
Sinularia flexibilis
Family : Alcyoniidae
The flexible leather coral is a common soft coral of Indo-Pacific reefs, recognized by its soft, undulating lobes. It is highly valued in reef aquariums for its hardiness and graceful movement.
Description
Sinularia flexibilis forms lobed, fleshy colonies up to 30 cm in diameter. The lobes are soft, flexible, often branched, with a wrinkled surface. Coloration ranges from light beige to brown, sometimes with greenish or purplish hues. Polyps are retractile and appear as small bumps when the colony is disturbed. In moderate flow, the lobes sway gently, resembling anemones. There is no visible sexual dimorphism; reproduction is both sexual (broadcast spawning) and asexual (fragmentation).
Habitat
Region :
Sinularia flexibilis is found on shallow coral reefs and in lagoons, often on hard substrates or coral rubble. It prefers areas with moderate water flow where its polyps can extend to capture nutrients. This species is commonly observed in clear, well-oxygenated waters within the photic zone. It sometimes forms extensive sprawling colonies on the seafloor.
Distribution :
Recommended parameters
Care
Care notes
A minimum tank size of 100 liters is recommended for Sinularia flexibilis. Water parameters should be stable: temperature 24-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.023-1.025. Moderate to intense lighting (PAR 100-200) and moderate water flow are ideal. Although primarily photosynthetic, occasional feeding with phytoplankton or micro-organisms can boost growth. Beware of allelopathy: this species releases terpenoids that can inhibit the growth of other soft or hard corals nearby. Activated carbon filtration is advised.
Similar species
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