Star Polyp Sinularia (Sinularia asterolobata) Care Guide
Sinularia asterolobata is a leather coral with prominent star-shaped polyps when extended, kept under medium light and flow in a stable reef.
Overview
Sinularia asterolobata is a leather coral with prominent star-shaped polyps when the colony is extended, giving it a distinctive texture. WoRMS lists it as accepted as Sclerophytum asterolobatum (Verseveldt, 1977); the knowledge-base name is retained here.
Taxonomy
- Class: Octocorallia
- Family: Alcyoniidae
- Genus: Sinularia
- Scientific name: Sinularia asterolobata
- WoRMS revision: accepted as Sclerophytum asterolobatum (Verseveldt, 1977)
Habitat
Sinularia is a genus of soft coral in the family Alcyoniidae, native to the tropical shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific. Like all soft corals it lacks a calcium carbonate exoskeleton, supported instead by an internal skeleton of sclerites. Colonies host symbiotic zooxanthellae that provide energy through photosynthesis, with colony colour depending on algal density. The World Register of Marine Species has reclassified many Sinularia species into the genus Sclerophytum (family Sinulariidae, order Malacalcyonacea); the knowledge-base name is retained in this guide.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 SG
- dKH (alkalinity): 8-11
- Calcium: 380-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Nitrate: below 15 ppm
- Phosphate: below 0.1 ppm
- Lighting: ~75-200 PAR (medium)
- Water flow: medium
- Minimum tank age: 3 months
Diet
The coral is photosynthetic, relying on its zooxanthellae for energy, and does not require direct feeding. Maintaining stable alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium supports tissue and sclerite health, while supplemental amino acids may aid growth.
Compatibility
The coral is passive and reef-safe with fish and shrimp. Leather corals periodically shed a surface film during self-cleaning, so steady water movement and good filtration help maintain water quality.