Green Finger Leather Coral

Green Finger Leather Coral, Sinularia sp., is a branching leather coral known for its thick upright lobes, finger-like growth form, and numerous small retractile polyps. This specimen displays pale green to yellow-green tissue with brighter green polyp centers and tips across the branches, giving the colony a softly textured appearance. As Sinularia colonies mature, they can develop increasingly complex branching structures and form substantial colonies in established reef aquariums. These corals contain symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates that provide much of their nutritional energy, while their polyps can also capture fine suspended organic material. Because species-level identification within Sinularia cannot be confirmed reliably from appearance alone, Sinularia sp. is the scientifically appropriate designation.

Care Guide: Sinularia sp. is generally hardy and well suited to established reef aquariums. Provide moderate lighting and moderate to strong, variable water movement to help keep the colony surface clean and encourage good polyp extension. Like many leather corals, Sinularia may periodically shed a thin waxy surface film, during which the colony can remain partially closed or appear dull; good indirect flow helps remove this layer. Place on stable rockwork with enough room for the branching colony to expand. Maintain stable temperature and salinity along with consistent alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate. Most nutrition comes from photosynthesis, though dissolved and very fine suspended organic material can provide supplemental nutrition. Because leather corals may release allelopathic compounds, good filtration, regular water changes, and activated carbon can be useful in mixed reef aquariums.