Devils Hand Leather Coral

General information

In general, Lobophytum species from the Family Alcyoniidae has a thick and heavy skin. They usually come in an encrusting form that either takes the shape of a bowl or standing straigt up in an erect position. It has projections called stalks that are fat, short and often has a compacted head that forms a fold or finger-like extensions which is often colored brown, tan, pink, green or yellow. They are easy to maintain in captivity making it an excellent choice for beginners.

For the Devils Hand Leather Coral, they are predominatly colored pinkish brown with light blue polyps. This are the water parameters for cultivating Devils Hand Leather Coral:

• Calcium: 385 – 450 ppm
• Alkalinity: 3.2 – 4.8 MEQ/L
• Phosphates: 0
• Magnesium: 1200 – 1350
• Strontium: 8 -10 mg/L
• Temperature: 76° – 82° F (24° – 28° C)
• Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025
• pH: 8.0 – 8.4

Devils Hand Leather Coral recives nourishment either through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Photosynthetic nourishment is done through the presence of light which is further enhanced by the symbiotic zooxanthellae living within its tissues. Chemosynthetic nourishment is achieved through the absorption of nutrients in the water.

Aside from giving them ample space from other coral species, a Devils Hand Leather Coral should be placed in the top or middle portion of the tank. This is the part where it recieves maximum lighting and strong water flow which is deemed important for their growth.

The Devil's Hand Leather Coral requires medium to high lighting and strong water flow.

The Devil's Hand Leather Coral are prone to nibbling by snails, bristleworms, flatworms and cyanobacteria where they can easily be infected with diseases.

The Devils Hand Leather Coral can be found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and Red Sea. They are still abundant in the wild and is not yet listed as a threatened or endangered species.

Devils Hand Leather Coral needs ample space between other species of corals.

Since the Devils Hand Leather Coral are marine species, salinity must be maintained at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity.