Soft Corals

Soft corals are a diverse group of corals that, unlike their stony counterparts, do not produce a rigid calcium carbonate skeleton. Instead, they have a flexible, often leathery structure that can sway with the currents in a reef tank. This flexibility is due to the presence of tiny, supportive structures called sclerites, which provide some rigidity while still allowing for movement. Soft corals come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, making them a visually appealing addition to any reef aquarium. They are generally easier to care for than hard corals, making them a popular choice for beginners and experienced hobbyists alike.

One of the most attractive features of soft corals is their ability to thrive in a range of lighting conditions. While many species do benefit from moderate to high lighting, there are also those that can do well under lower light conditions, making them versatile inhabitants of diverse aquarium setups. Additionally, soft corals are known for their relatively fast growth rates, which can quickly add volume and movement to a reef tank. Some popular types of soft corals include Sinularia and Sarcophyton.

Soft corals often engage in interesting symbiotic relationships with other marine organisms. For example, many soft corals host zooxanthellae, symbiotic algae that live within their tissues and provide them with energy through photosynthesis. This relationship not only helps the corals grow but also contributes to the overall health of the reef ecosystem. Additionally, some soft corals can host small invertebrates, such as crabs and shrimp, offering them shelter and protection.

When keeping soft corals in a reef tank, it's important to maintain stable water parameters, including proper salinity, temperature, and nutrient levels. Regular water changes and good filtration are essential to keep the water quality high. Soft corals can also benefit from occasional feedings of planktonic foods, although many species can obtain most of their nutritional needs from the light and dissolved nutrients in the water. Care should be taken to ensure that soft corals do not come into direct contact with more aggressive corals, as they can be outcompeted or damaged by stinging cells called nematocysts.

1. 
   Common name: dead man's fingers

   Scientific name: Alcyonium digitatum
2. 
   Common name: Red sea fingers

   Scientific name: Alcyonium glomeratum
3. 
   Common name: Dead Man's Fingers

   Scientific name: Alcyonium palmatum
4. 
   Common name: Waving Hand Coral

   Scientific name: Anthelia glauca
5. Common name: corky sea fingers

   Scientific name: Briareum asbestinum
6. 
   Common name: Kenya Tree Coral

   Scientific name: Capnella imbricata
7. 
   Common name: Cavernularia obesa

   Scientific name: Cavernularia obesa
8. Common name: Colt Coral

   Scientific name: Cladiella australis
9. 
   Common name: Cauliflower Coral

   Scientific name: Cladiella pauciflora
10. 
    Common name: Carnation Coral

    Scientific name: Dendronephthya klunzingeri
11. 
    Common name: Carnation Coral

    Scientific name: Dendronephthya rubeola
12. 
    Common name: Encrusting Gorgonian

    Scientific name: Erythropodium carybaeorum
13. 
    Common name: Blue coral

    Scientific name: Heliopora coerulea
14. Common name: Hicksonella Coral

    Scientific name: Hicksonella princeps
15. 
    Common name: Soft coral crab

    Scientific name: Hoplophrys oatesi
16. Common name: warty sea mat

    Scientific name: Isaurus tuberculatus
17. 
    Common name: Devil's Hand Leather Coral

    Scientific name: Lobophytum crassum
18. 
    Common name: bottle-brush coral

    Scientific name: Muriceopsis flavida
19. Common name: Pink sea fingers

    Scientific name: Parerythropodium hibernicum
20. Common name: Yellow Fungus

    Scientific name: Rhytisma fulvum
21. 
    Common name: Toadstool Leather Coral

    Scientific name: Sarcophyton ehrenbergi
22. Common name: Yellow Leather Coral

    Scientific name: Sarcophyton elegans
23. 
    Common name: Leather coral

    Scientific name: Sarcophyton glaucum
24. 
    Common name: Elephant Ear Coral

    Scientific name: Sarcophyton latum
25. 
    Common name: Leather Coral

    Scientific name: Sarcophyton tenuispiculatum
26. 
    Common name: Mushroom leather coral

    Scientific name: Sarcophyton trocheliophorum
27. 
    Common name: Finger Leather Coral

    Scientific name: Sinularia asterolobata
28. 
    Common name: Cabbage Leather Coral

    Scientific name: Sinularia brassica
29. 
    Common name: Spaghetti Finger Leather Coral

    Scientific name: Sinularia flexibilis
30. 
    Common name: Leather Coral

    Scientific name: Sinularia notanda
31. 
    Common name: Finger Leather Coral

    Scientific name: Sinularia polydactyla
32. 
    Common name: Smooth Cauliflower Coral

    Scientific name: Stelligera stuposa
33. Common name: Yellow Tree Coral

    Scientific name: Studeriotes longiramosa
34. 
    Common name: Organ pipe coral

    Scientific name: Tubipora musica
35. 
    Common name: Pulsing Xenia

    Scientific name: Xenia elongata
36. 
    Common name: Pulsing Xenia

    Scientific name: Xenia umbellata