Alcyonium fulvum

(Forskal, 1775)

Finger Leather Coral

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea, Zanzibar and Madagascar to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and south to the Great Barrier Reef.

Natural Environment: Inhabits local turbid, somewhat calm coastal reefs at depths between 10 to 130 feet (3 - 40 m).

General Husbandry: Has an encrusting base with upright fingers and separate male and female colonies.

Place specimen in a moderate lit area that receives a gentle to moderate water flow.

Even though a photosynthetic species, several weekly feedings with plankton-like foodstuffs are quite beneficial.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Octocorallia

Order: Anlcyonacea

Suborder: Alcyoniina

Family: Alcyoniidae

Genus: Alcyonium

FYI: Now technically listed as Rhytisma fulvum.

The nudibranch Marionia levis feeds on the species soft coral, and looks quite like the surface of this coral. Touch coral occasionally to close its polyps and look for this nudibranch and remove when seen.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Photosynthetic/Absorption of nutrients

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe:Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Lighting: PAR 350+

Water Movement: WM 1 - 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.