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Flexible leather coral
Sclerophytum flexibile
Flexible leather coral: marine corallo molle in the family Alcyoniidae, included for reef role, behavior, or aquarium utility. Geographical Origin and Habitat: The Flexible Leather Coral...
Class:Anthozoa
Order:Malacalcyonacea
Family:Sarcophytidae
Genus:Sclerophytum
Species:Sclerophytum flexibile
Formerly known as:Sinularia flexibilis
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Water Temperature
24 - 28 °C
pH Value
8.1 - 8.4
Water type
Marine
Minimum group
>= 1
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: The Flexible Leather Coral (*Sinularia flexibilis*), affectionately known in the hobby as the "Spaghetti Leather," is an extraordinarily elegant and dynamic soft coral natively endemic to the warm, shallow, and highly energetic reef crests and lagoons of the vast Indo-Pacific Ocean. Their natural biotope is defined by areas exposed to brilliant, direct sunlight and exceptionally strong, sweeping tidal currents that cause their long, fleshy branches to dance violently in the water column.
Taxonomy: Scientifically classified within the Alcyoniidae family, they are arborescent (tree-like) octocorals entirely lacking a solid calcium carbonate skeleton. They are anatomically defined by a thick, highly robust, encrusting base from which multiple long, thin, deeply grooved, and incredibly flexible finger-like branches emerge. These long "spaghetti" branches are covered in thousands of microscopic, retractable polyps. Internal calcareous spicules (sclerites) give the tissue structural integrity.
Social Behavior: As sessile invertebrates, they do not move across the reef, but they are highly aggressive competitors for real estate. Like the Toadstool Leather, they periodically undergo a mandatory biological "sloughing" process. The coral will retract all polyps, shrink, and secrete a thick, waxy mucous tunic over its entire surface. After several days, strong water flow peels this waxy layer away, carrying off accumulated detritus, smothering algae, and biological parasites.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Sexual dimorphism is visually non-existent as they are clonal organisms. Their coloration is subtle, natural, and highly variable depending on the dominant zooxanthellae strain. The main trunk and flexible branches typically present in muted, earthy tones of pale beige, tan, light brown, or grayish-white. However, beneath actinic blue aquarium lighting, they frequently exhibit a stunning, pervasive neon green or vivid yellowish-green fluorescence.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Guidance about aquarium setup for Sclerophytum flexibile must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Feeding and Diet: Guidance about feeding and diet for Sclerophytum flexibile must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Water Quality: Guidance about water quality for Sclerophytum flexibile must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Compatibility and Coexistence: Guidance about compatibility and coexistence for Sclerophytum flexibile must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Aquarium Breeding: Guidance about aquarium breeding for Sclerophytum flexibile must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Risks and Disease: Guidance about risks and disease for Sclerophytum flexibile must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The Flexible Leather Coral (*Sinularia flexibilis*), affectionately known in the hobby as the "Spaghetti Leather," is an extraordinarily elegant and dynamic soft coral natively endemic to the warm, shallow, and highly energetic reef crests and lagoons of the vast Indo-Pacific Ocean. Their natural biotope is defined by areas exposed to brilliant, direct sunlight and exceptionally strong, sweeping tidal currents that cause their long, fleshy branches to dance violently in the water column.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsEast Asia
Invertebrate profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Ecological role
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- No verified data available
- Jump risk
- No verified data available
- Shock sensitivity
- No verified data available
- Calcium and minerals
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Compatibility & tankmates
- No verified data available
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
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