Sinularia "Alien Hands" Leather Coral

Sinularia leathers periodically slough off their outer tissue layer like a snake shedding skin, dumping algae and detritus buildup in one go and looking a little worse for wear right after — that's normal, not a crisis. This one grows into oddly branching, hand-like lobes that genuinely look like they belong on something from a different planet. Like most soft corals it releases terpenoid compounds into the water to chemically discourage stony coral neighbors from encroaching, so give it some space and good skimming to keep that chemistry from building up.

Care level: Easy · Light/Flow/Placement: Moderate light, moderate flow, bottom-to-mid tank · Max size: 8"+ across, slow-to-moderate growth · Diet: Photosynthetic, no target feeding required