Description

 

🥬 Cabbage Leather Coral (Sinularia sp.)

Hardy, Flowing, and Beginner-Friendly – A Soft Coral Staple

The Cabbage Leather Coral, scientifically known as Sinularia dura, is a popular soft coral that adds texture, movement, and natural elegance to any reef aquarium. True to its name, this coral resembles folded cabbage leaves or delicate coral lettuce, forming attractive rosettes and layered fronds that sway gracefully in the current.

Favoured by both beginner and experienced reefers, the Cabbage Leather is a low-maintenance, fast-growing, and hardy soft coral that thrives in a wide range of tank conditions. It brings a natural reef look to your aquascape while being incredibly forgiving to fluctuations in water parameters.

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🧬 Coral Information

• Common Name: Cabbage Leather Coral
• Scientific Name: Sinularia sp.
• Coral Type: Soft Coral
• Care Level: Easy
• Lighting: Low to moderate
• Water Flow: Moderate
• Placement: Mid to bottom areas of the tank

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✨ Key Features

✔️ Unique Rosette Growth – Flat, overlapping “leaves” create an attractive coral bush shape
✔️ Excellent for Beginners – Extremely hardy and tolerates a wide range of water conditions
✔️ Natural Reef Look – Adds depth and movement to any aquascape
✔️ No Skeleton – Flexible coral that moves beautifully with the water current
✔️ Fast-Growing – Ideal for quickly filling space or softening hardscape lines

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💡 Lighting & Flow Requirements

The Cabbage Leather Coral does well under low to moderate lighting (PAR 50–150). LED or T5 fixtures with a full spectrum will support healthy growth and coloration. Though tolerant of higher lighting, this coral prefers softer conditions and will bleach under overly intense exposure.

Provide moderate, indirect water flow to prevent detritus from settling on its broad leaves while encouraging the coral’s natural swaying motion. Too much direct flow may cause the coral to close or retract.

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🍽 Feeding & Growth

As a photosynthetic coral, the Cabbage Leather derives much of its nutrition from zooxanthellae algae within its tissue. However, it also benefits from occasional feedings of:

• Phytoplankton
• Marine snow
• Liquid coral food
• Dissolved organic matter

Target feeding isn’t necessary but can encourage faster growth.

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🧪 Water Parameters

This coral thrives in stable, reef-safe conditions, but is known for its exceptional tolerance to mild fluctuations:

• Temperature: 24–26°C (75–78°F)
• Salinity: 1.024–1.026
• pH: 8.0–8.4
• Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH
• Calcium: 380–450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
• Nitrates: 2–15 ppm
• Phosphates: 0.03–0.1 ppm

Routine water changes help maintain trace element levels and promote continued soft coral health.

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⚠️ Placement Tips & Compatibility

The Cabbage Leather Coral is non-aggressive and does not have sweeper tentacles, making it a safe addition to mixed reef tanks. However, give it room to grow, as it can quickly shade nearby corals with its wide, overlapping plates.

This coral can release allelochemicals (natural toxins) in response to stress or overcrowding, so good water movement, activated carbon, and regular water changes help keep the system balanced.

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📦 What You’ll Receive

Each frag is a healthy, aqua cultured specimen with “leaves” attached to a ceramic plug or small rock. Colour may range from pale green to beige or brown depending on tank lighting.

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🌿 Whether you’re starting your first reef tank or expanding a soft coral section, the Cabbage Leather Coral is a reliable and beautiful addition. Its unique leaf-like growth and flowing movement provide both visual appeal and ecological benefit to your marine ecosystem.