Animal-World > Aquarium Coral Reefs > Leather Corals > Cabbage Leather - Sinularia

Cabbage Leather Coral

Flower Leather Coral, Flat Leather Coral
Lobed Leather Coral, Carpet Coral, Lettuce Coral

Sinularia duraPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Cabbage Leather Coral is one of the hardiest soft corals and is excellent for beginners!

   One of the nicest things about the Cabbage Leather Coral Sinularia dura is that it is as attractive as it is durable. It can be found in colors ranging from brown, tan, cream, pink, purple, yellow and gray; and at times may be a more colorful green. It has broad, blunt "leaves" resembling those of a cabbage or lettuce, and yet they have a delicate look to them, almost like a flower. The lobed projections have delicate radial striations and infolding along their fringe.

   The S. dura form small, low-growing colonies on hard substrates such as rubble or dead corals. They can grow so densely that their prominent "leaves" will often overlap. They have retractable autozooid (feeding) polyps that are more concentrated on the edges of the leaves. The tissue is dry and leathery, thus the term "leather coral". It is tough and not easily torn, so they are not as sensitive to handling as other soft corals, especially when propagation is done.

   The Cabbage Leather Coral is known by many common names including Flower Leather Coral, Flat Leather Coral, Lobed Leather Coral, Carpet Coral, Cabbage Coral, and Lettuce Coral. Because it is similar in form to other leathers, many of the same common names are used interchangeably such as Leather Coral, Finger Leather, Ruffled Leather Coral, Cabbage Leather Coral, Finger Leather Coral, Scalloped Leather Coral, and Knobby Leather Coral. The S. dura is related to the Sarcophyton leather corals, such as the Yellow Leather Coral S. elegans, but the difference is that it has a close, low growing ruffled shape. When ordering this or any other leather coral, its best to make sure you use the scientific name.

   The Cabbage Leather Coral is easy to keep, making it a great soft coral for the beginner. As with all Sinularia sp., it is one of the the most forgiving as far as light and water flow is concerned, and it is an easy coral to propagate. They like a moderate to strong water flow and adapt to all types of lighting, though moderate is usually best. They are toxic toward other corals due to their release of terpenes (poisons used to ward off encroaching corals), so they do need plenty of space.

To learn about other types of soft corals, see:
Soft Coral Facts

Scientific name   Family: Alcyoniidae
   Species: Sinularia dura

Distribution / Background    Leather Coral Information: The Sinularia genus was described by May in 1898. They belong to the family Alcyoniidae, which are referred to as octocorals. There are around 138 species and subspecies of Sinularia (this number will grow over time). Some of their common names are Leather Coral, Finger Leather, Ruffled Leather Coral, Cabbage Leather Coral, Finger Leather Coral, Knobby Leather Coral, Scalloped Leather Coral, Green Fiji, Sinularis Finger Leather, Rasta Leather Coral, Flexible Leather Coral, and Knobby Leather Coral.

   The Sinularia genus is the most predominant genus of soft corals. Several species of Sinularia are considered to be hermatypic or "reef building". This is because they will encrust over most surfaces and the sclerites (tiny spiny skeletal elements embedded in their tissue that help to support their structure) will fuse together near their base. These often form massive accretions of several meters across in older colonies (over 100 years old) and can have a greater density than many of the stony corals. When Sinularia sp. degenerate they shed these tiny sclerites, making them look like they are releasing snowflakes.

   The Cabbage Leather Coral S. dura was described by Pratt in 1903. This leather has many names similar to other leathers such as Flower Leather Coral, Flat Leather Coral, Lobed Leather Coral, Carpet Coral, Cabbage Coral, and Lettuce Coral. They have been propagated in captivity. Sometimes Sinularia corals are dyed because the areas some come from have been bleached due to pollution and weather patterns. Or they are dyed to get brighter colors, like fluorescent greens, but dyed corals tend to not do as well.

   Where Sinularia Corals Are Found: The S. dura are found in the Red Sea and Indo-Pacific.

   Sinularia Coral Habitat: Most S. dura are found near the shore in shallow water on reef flats and lagoons, attached to rubble. They can thrive in the turbid waters within large colonies, due to their thick bases.

Status    The Sinularia dura is not listed on the IUCN Red List for Endangered Species.

Description    What do Sinularia Corals look like: The Cabbage Leather Coral S. dura form small, low-growing colonies on hard substrates such as rubble or dead corals. It has broad, blunt "leaves" resembling those of a cabbage or lettuce, and yet they have a delicate look to them, almost like a flower. They can grow so densely that their prominent "leaves" will often overlap. They have retractable autozooid (feeding) polyps that are more concentrated on the edges of the leaves. The tissue is dry and leathery, thus the term "leather coral". It is tough and not easily torn, so they are not as sensitive to handling as other soft corals, especially when propagation is done.

   The S. dura can be brown, tan, cream, pink, purple, yellow and gray, and at times may be a more colorful green. They are not naturally fluorescent, since that is a dyed coral. The lobed projections have delicate radial striations and infolding along their fringe. They can get to 24" (61 cm) or more, tall or wide.

Difficulty of Care    Leather Coral Care: The Cabbage Leather Coral S. dura is easy to keep, making it a great soft coral for the beginner. They like a moderate to strong water flow and adapt to all types of lighting, though moderate is usually best. They are not as sensitive to handling as other soft corals, especially when propagation is done. But they are toxic toward other corals due to their release of terpenes (poisons used to ward off encroaching corals), and they do grow large, so they need plenty of space. They also regularly shed their top layers.

Foods / Feeding    Leather Coral Feeding: In the wild, Sinularia corals have developed several feeding strategies. They capture microscopic food particles from the water column and can absorb dissolved organic matter. They are also photosynthetic, having a symbiotic relationship with a marine algae known as zooxanthellae, where they also receive some of their nutrients.

   In captivity, they may be fed microplankton. This is especially important if the light is not on the higher end to support the zooxanthellae. When feeding the polyps are out, and as nutrients are captured, the polyps retract.

Aquarium Care    Stable tank conditions are needed to keep the Sinularia genus. A water change that is a standard for any reef system, not to exceed 30% is needed. In general, a typical water change of 20% a month or 10% biweekly, depending on the bio load, is sufficient. Some have found success by doing a 5% water change once a week, keeping water quality high and reducing the need for most additives. Soft corals do need to have proper chemical levels for good growth.

   Iodine is used up quickly in captive environments, and does need to be added to the top off water or to the tank regularly. Make sure you have a test to make sure your levels are sufficient. Frequent water changes are preferred over adding extra supplements.

   Suggested levels for Sinularia species are:

• Calcium:  385 - 450 ppm (Seachem makes a calcium additive that states 385 as sufficient. Anything over 400 tends to wear on pumps and other moving parts.)
• Alkalinity:  3.2 - 4.8 MEQ/L (8 to 12 dKh - 10 is recommended)
• Phosphates:  0, zero.
• Magnesium:  1200 - 1350 ppm. (Magnesium makes calcium available, so if your calcium is low, check your magnesium levels before adding any more calcium.)
• Strontium:  8 - 10. Strontium levels are suggested to keep the coral happy, and a kit for testing proper levels is suggested.

Aquarium Parameters

Quick Reference Chart
Lighting:
Water Flow:
Temperament:

   A typical live rock/reef environment is what is needed for your Cabbage Leather Coral, along with some fish for organic matter production and plenty of room to grow.

   Provide proper lighting and water movement. They need a moderate to stong water flow. Make sure the water flow does not shoot a straight hard stream directly at the coral, only random water current. They like moderate to high lighting, but if using metal halides, they need to be adapted slowly. The Sinularia genus is very aggressive toward other corals so be sure to provide plenty of room between species, and they can be toxic to stony corals

• Minimum Tank Size / Length: 50 gallon (190 L) or larger
• Marine Lighting: All, with moderate to high being best (slow adaptation to metal halides).
• Temperature: 72° - 80° F (22° - 26° C)
• Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025
• Water Movement: Low to moderate, with a random flow is suggested.
• Water Region: All areas of the aquarium

Compatibility and Social Behaviors    The Cabbage Leather Coral is very aggressive. The S. dura is toxic toward other corals due to their release of terpenes (poisons to ward off encroaching corals). They have been known to harm some stony coral species of Acropora like the Staghorn Acropora A. formosa, some species of Porites like P andrewsii, as well as the death of Catalaphyllia, Euphyllia, and Plerogyra species.

   In the wild two copepod species, Paramolgus ostentus and P. eniwetokensis, are known to live in association with the S. dura. If pests are present, they can usually be removed with a simple 5 minute freshwater dip.

Sex - Sexual differences  Specifically, the Sinularia polydactyla have females that remain erect and males retract and become flaccid during spawning. Other species are still being studied in this regard. The S. dura, once mature, will drop clones of themselves.

Breeding and Reproduction

   In the wild, the Sinularia genus use several different forms of reproduction, such as fission, fragmenting and/or branch dropping.

   The Cabbage Leather Coral is easy to propagate. In general, the Sinularia species can be fragged for just a small piece or for a large frag, but with a few variations in procedure. Using either procedure, the coral will more than likely deflate, but with good water flow it will recover. Corals can emit a nasty and at times noxious odor, so be sure there is good ventilation. Clean up any mucous when finished to prevent any possible health problems.

   To frag a small piece:

• Make sure your leather is healthy.
• You may use a pair of very sharp scissors or a scalpel.
• Simply cut a small frag away from the mother colony while still in the tank. Segments of 3" have the best survivability while those under 1/2" have the lowest record of survivability.
• Constricting slowly with rubber bands, tighter fitting as the separation continues, is another method.
• Loosely rubber band the frag between branches and affix to a small piece of rubble that has a natural indent or a plug.

  For larger fragging:

• The leather coral should have all polyps retracted before proceeding.
• Remove the coral from the tank, and quickly perform the fragmentation from a mother colony with a clean razor, scalpel, or knife. (scissors can damage tissue from larger fragging cuts.)
• Provide a bath of clean, temperature and salinity adjusted, water (same as main tank) with a little iodine before returning to the tank. This bath will help clear out the mucous that the leather will produce from this procedure.
• The frag can be glued, tied, sewn to a rock or plug, or just set on rubble where the current will not take them away, but will help them heal. This depends on the size and shape of the frag.
• Return the leather to the same spot it was in before fragging and discard bath water. This placement will depend on the size and shape of the frag.

Potential Problems    The Sinularia genus is generally very hardy and adaptable, but can contract disease. Coral diseases are commonly caused by stress, shock (like pouring freshwater into the tank and it coming in contact with the leather), and incompatible tank mates including specific fish, or pests.

  Some diseases and treatments include:

• Flatworms, Brown Jelly Infections, cyanobacteria
  Treat with a freshwater dip of 1 to 3 minutes in chlorine free freshwater of the same temperature and pH as the main display.
• Cyanobacteria, Brown Jelly Infections
  These can also be treated with Neomycin sulphite, Kanamycin and other broad-spectrum antibiotics. The pill can be pulverised into a fine powder, mixed with sea water to make a paste, and then applied to the wound or affected site of the coral with a simple artists brush.
• Necrosis, Black Band Disease
  To prevent necrosis, and fight black band disease, according to one author the corals can be treated with Tetracycline at 10 mg per quart/liter.
• Lugol's Solution (as a preventative/cure)
  Use a Lugol's dip at 5-10 drops of 5% Lugol's solution per quart/liter of newly mixed sea water that has been mixing for 10-20 minutes. Start with a 10 minute dip and observe the reaction of the coral. A daily dip can be done until the coral is cured.
• Amputation
  One procedure that can save a coral's life if nothing else is working is amputation of the affected area. This must be done in a separate container consisting of some of the tank's water. Cut slightly into healthy tissue surrounding the diseased flesh then reattach the coral to the substrate with the open wound cemented on part of the reef structure.
• "Liquid Band Aid"
  For wounds that are on the side or top, some have used "liquid band aid" or super glue to seal the wound.

Availability    Soft Corals for Sale: The Cabbage Leather Coral S. dura is very easy to find pet shops and on line. Online they can run about $40.00 to $49.00 USD, or more, depending on size and/or color.

References

• Animal-World References: Marine and Reef
• Anthony Calfo, Book of Coral Propagation, Volume 1 Edition 2: Reef Gardening for Aquarists, Reading Trees; 2nd edition, 2007
• Harry Erhardt and Horst Moosleitner, Marine Atlas Volume 2, Invertebrates (Baensch Marine Atlas), Mergus Verlag GmbH, Revised edition, 2005
• Ronald L. Shimek, Guide to Marine Invertebrates: 500+ Essential-to-Know Aquarium Species, Microcosm, 2005
• Eric Borneman, Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History , TFH Publications, 2001
• Bob Goemans, Scalloped/Cabbage/Flat/Lobed/Leaf Leather Coral, Animal Library, Saltwatercorner.com
• Cabbage Leather Coral, Drs. Foster & Smith, peteducation.com

Author: Carrie McBirney, Clarice Brough CFS

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