Green Finger Leather Coral

Green Finger Leather Coral, Sinularia sp., is a branching leather coral characterized by thick upright lobes that divide into numerous finger-like projections. This colony displays pale green to yellow-green tissue with brighter green polyp openings distributed across the branches, producing a finely textured appearance. As the colony matures, Sinularia can develop an increasingly dense, bushy branching structure and become a substantial focal point in a reef aquarium. These corals contain symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates that provide much of their nutritional energy, while their small polyps can also capture fine suspended organic material. Because species-level identification of Sinularia cannot be established reliably from external appearance alone, Sinularia sp. is the most scientifically appropriate designation.

Care Guide: Green Finger Leather Corals are generally hardy once established. Provide moderate lighting and moderate to strong, variable water movement that keeps water moving across and between the branches without constantly bending the colony in one direction. Good circulation is particularly important because leather corals periodically shed a thin waxy surface layer; during this process the coral may temporarily appear dull or keep its polyps retracted. Maintain stable temperature and salinity with consistent alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate. Most nutrition is obtained through photosynthesis, although dissolved and very fine suspended organic material can supplement its diet. Allow adequate room for growth and separation from neighboring corals. In mixed reef systems, good protein skimming, routine water changes, and activated carbon can help manage dissolved compounds released by leather corals.