Mollis Sinularia Leather Coral Care Guide
Sinularia mollis is a soft, thinner-stalked leather coral, typically light tan with cream polyps, kept under medium light and flow in a stable reef.
Overview
Sinularia mollis is a soft leather coral with a thinner stalk than most congeners, typically light tan with cream-coloured polyps. It is a hardy, beginner-friendly soft coral. As with related species, WoRMS has moved many Sinularia into the genus Sclerophytum; the knowledge-base name is retained here.
Taxonomy
- Class: Octocorallia
- Family: Alcyoniidae
- Genus: Sinularia
- Scientific name: Sinularia mollis
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
Sinularia mollis is passive and reef-safe with fish and shrimp. Leather corals periodically shed a surface film as they self-clean, so steady flow helps prevent debris from settling on the colony.