Leather Coral

About

Found across reef environments in the Western Pacific, this leather coral, Sinularia brassica, has been documented from New Caledonia, Palau, and Hong Kong. Like other members of the Sinularia genus, it is a sessile organism. It stays anchored in one place and grows outward, building a fleshy, lobed colony that many hobbyists compare in shape to a head of cauliflower or brassica, which is almost certainly how it got its species name. Leather corals as a group are known for being relatively unfussy, and this species falls into that beginner-friendly category. It does not require intense lighting or powerful flow, making it a workable choice for a range of reef setups. One thing worth knowing about leathers generally is that they periodically shed a waxy coat as part of their natural cycle. During this phase they may look dull or closed up, which is completely normal. This species is considered reef safe and should not pose a risk to neighboring corals under typical conditions, though like many soft corals it can release compounds into the water when stressed, so good skimming and carbon use are worth keeping in mind.