These photosynthetic corals are one of the more popular soft corals for the reef aquarium. There are quite a few species and the identification of such can be very difficult because they are highly variable, i.e., shape can look quite different from another of the same species found elsewhere because of specific environmental factors. These environmental factors include temperature, salinity, light intensity, and water movement.
As with most leather corals, they do not respond well to being handled too often and seem to take longer periods of time to regain their full extension after each handling. It is very natural for them to coat themselves with a white/waxy film from time-to-time or especially when disturbed. Not to fear, as this protective coating will be shed when the animal is ready to expand its polyps. This layer of protective mucus also carries away coatings of algae and bacteria that may have troubled the animal. It is also thought this mucus coating is way to get rid of a layer of excess carbon that was produced via photosynthesis. However, frequent shedding could be a sign of poor water quality. Yet, size reduction at nighttime is thought to be a normal process in which the animal cleans itself of waste products/detritus.
Once established, and with sufficient light (Most do extremely well under metal halides.), some of these corals can quickly go from tiny to gigantic. They should be started at lower light levels and slowly moved to an area where lighting is more intense. They may change their shade of color/protective pigments to some degree when they adjust their zooxanthellae level to match light intensity. Their polyps are generally retracted at night.
Occasionally pestered by a nudibranch in the genus Dendronotus, which can bore into the corals and eat inside tissue. Remove when seen.
Can easily be propagated by cuttings. Prefers moderate water movement, will somewhat tolerate hair algae and sub-optimal water quality, and will take zooplankton, i.e., rotifers and/or newly hatch brine shrimp. Yet, you may find their growth really accelerated if fed. Also, every week or so one should create a wave action by moving their hand through the water just above the animal or use a turkey baster to clean any detritus buildup from the polyp area, just like waves do in nature. I have also found them to be sensitive to phosphate removing compounds such as aluminum oxide, especially so if the pH of the bulk water exceeds 8.5. Use this media carefully and/or in small amounts, as your leather coral may remain closed for days or weeks after placing this chemical media in the system.
Alcyonium common names depend on the shape and color of the existing species and include: Finger Leather Coral, Dead Man's Finger Coral, Encrusting Leather Coral, Bushy Soft Coral, Yellow Bush Coral, Colt Coral, Red Finger Coral, and Chili Pepper Coral.
Growth takes a thick and encrusting form, many times with upward lobed finger-like outgrowth. Found in calm turbid zones, they do well in closed systems with moderate light and gentle water movement. This is a family of organisms still in the stage of being identified, with possibly a morph from the Parerythropodium genus responsible for various color variations of A. fulvum, more normally seen in the trade.
Usually called Colt Coral, these squat, tree-shaped photosynthetic soft corals have many branches extending and which are further divided. There are over 40 species and they are covered with various shades of brown polyps. Once established, they grow quickly and can get quite large. Can be propagated by branch cuttings.
Be aware there is a white nudibranch, probably Tritonopsilla alba, sometimes associated with this species. They feed on the coral mostly at night and often leave powdery deposits at the coral's base. Sometimes these deposits are so excessive the coral separates from its base. Viewing your aquariums at night, now with the aid of 'moonlights' is a good way to view for nighttime predators. Remove these frilly looking nudibranchs with tweezers when seen.
Common names include Cabbage Leather Coral, Devils Hand Coral, Lobed Leather Coral, and sometimes Finger Leather Coral. These small to medium size photosynthetic soft corals do better under low to medium light with moderate water movement. They have several forms, including upward extending finger-like extensions covered in polyps, and irregular ear-shaped growth with a sparse covering of short polyps. They are usually light tan in color. Their body strengthening calcium carbonate sclerites can be seen through the skin tissue. Easily propagated from cuttings.
Common names include Umbrella Coral, Elephant Ear Leather Coral, Toadstool Coral, Leather Coral, and sometimes Mushroom Leather Coral. These photosynthetic broad column shaped corals with large mushroom shaped tops are among the easiest soft corals to maintain. In the wild they are found on reef flats and lagoons in generally shallow waters and appear in various shades of brown. They do well under moderate to bright light with moderate water movement, and occasional water surges seem to be quite beneficial.
Common names include Scalloped Leather Corals, Finger Leather Coral, Cabbage Leather Coral, and Knobby Leather Coral. These photosynthetic soft corals, containing well over 50 species, have irregular shaped growth with a sparse covering of short polyps or may have upward extending finger-like extensions covered in polyps. They are usually light tan in color. Come in many shapes and sizes and most species seen in the trade prefer direct light, whether metal halide or very high output (VHO) fluorescent lamps. Prefers moderate water movement, and somewhat tolerates hair algae.
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