Sinularia Coral


Large Multi-branched Colony

 GreenSinulariaCloseup.jpg (32087 bytes)
Closeup of polyps
GreenSinulariaHeavyStalk.jpg (34550 bytes)
Heavy stalk of large colony
Hammer2.jpg (56196 bytes)
Sinularia and Hammer living in close contact

GreenSinulariaDissolving.jpg (42701 bytes)
Shows branch starting to dissolve

GreenSinulariaStart.jpg (198158 bytes)
Small light colored specimen
Scientific Name:    Sinularia sp.
Classification:        Soft Coral
Common Names:    Sinularia, Green Finger Coral

Description:
Sinularia corals are similar in shape to colt corals (Cladiella) and tree corals (Nepthea).  Sinularia corals can be identified by the fact that the growth originates from a single heavy stalk unlike Nepthea and the polyps are less feathery than in colt corals.  Green Sinularia is a very attractive bright greenish yellow in color.  The intensity of the coloration is affected by the amount of lighting the coral receives.  The branches are covered with small polyps.  Sinularia can grow quite large.  The specimen above is about 15" high, has grown to be several separate adults and has been pruned heavily several times.  This coral is about 4 years old.

Natural Environment:
?  This coral is normally collected in the wild, but it is easily propagated.

Care:
Hardiness:  Sinularia is very hardy and tolerates a range of conditions.  On occasion, a specimen will start dissolve in one or more spots as shown in the picture above.  The cause is unknown.  The best approach if this occurs is to cut out the bad portion of the coral.

Lighting: While Sinularia will tolerant lower lighting levels, it does best under intense lighting.   The specimen shown here is growing under 10K 400W MH lamps.  It has also been grown very successfully under standard 175W mercury vapor lighting.

Water Current:  Sinularia likes moderate water flow.  Seem to do well under wave maker water conditions where the branches get swayed gently back and forth.

Temperature: Does well within a range of at least 75º to 84º F. 

Aggressiveness: Moderate.  Although they do not seem to directly sting neighbors, their proximity to some other coral can cause the other corals to recede.  The specimen here is in direct contact with a hammer coral and neither coral seems to harm the other.  Sheer size as the specimen grows can also tend to shadow its neighbors.

Feeding: Sinularia are photosynthetic and does not require direct feeding.  Unknown if they would take any form of phytoplankton or zooplankton.

Supplements: No special requirement are noted.  Normal acceptable water parameters seem to suit it just fine.

Tank Positioning: No special requirements other than keeping them in low to moderate water flow.

 Propagation:: Sinularia are easily propagated by cutting a branch off using a sharp knife or scissors.  This piece can be 'planted' in a gravel bed in low water flow and they will attach to gravel particles within a couple of weeks.  They can then be superglued to a suitable substrate such as a reef plug.  Starts can also be directly attached to the substrate using rubberbands or string as long as care is taken prevent the rubber band from cutting through the soft tissue of the coral.

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