Brassica Cabbage Leather Coral (Sinularia brassica) Care Guide

Sinularia brassica is a cabbage-like leather coral with broad fleshy lobes that forms large colonies over time, kept under medium light and flow.

Overview

Sinularia brassica is a cabbage-like leather coral with broad, fleshy lobes that develops large encrusting colonies over time. WoRMS lists Sinularia brassica (May, 1898) as the accepted name and considers several names, including Sinularia dura, to be its junior synonyms.

Taxonomy

Class: Octocorallia
Family: Alcyoniidae
Genus: Sinularia
Scientific name: Sinularia brassica
Authority: May, 1898 (accepted name in WoRMS; family Sinulariidae)

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.