Dead man's fingers
Alcyonium digitatum
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.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 10–24 |
| pH | 8–8.4 |
| GH | 7–9 |
| KH | 8–12 |
| Salinity | 1.023–1.025 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.1 |
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.