Description
The Neon Green Sinularia has a bright, neon green base with yellowish-green polyps. It grows long, irregular branches. This leather coral will not disappoint!
Sinularia originates from the Indo-Pacific. However, the frags sold here are aquacultured by ORA. Instead of coming from the ocean, these corals are grown in aquariums and then fragged to be sold to hobbyists such as yourself. These corals come with many benefits that we will discuss later.
Leather corals such as Sinularia are typically easy to care for. They are great beginner corals, but like any coral, there are some care requirements you should know about.
Let’s start with lighting. Sinularia, and leather corals in general, are usually not picky about lighting. They can handle low or high light, but do best in moderate light. Ideally, you should give this coral around 50-150 micromoles of PAR. The upper end of that range may bring out better colors, especially in more vibrant species. If your only option is to place this coral in high light (above 150 micromoles of PAR), you should at least acclimate it first. Do this by starting the coral in dimmer light and slowly moving it into higher light during a month or so.
Water movement is very important for leather corals. Some leather corals such as this Sinularia shed a waxy layer monthly or bimonthly. Shedding this layer allows the coral to prevent algae from growing on it. You will see the coral expand to a larger size after it sheds. Flow is important because it helps the coral shed this layer. Water movement also helps deliver needed nutrients to the coral. You should provide this coral with moderate to strong flow.
Leather corals can handle higher nutrient levels better than some stony corals, but you should still aim to keep them low. A good range to shoot for is nitrates around 1-5 ppm and phosphates as close to 0.01 ppm as possible but not 0. This is just a general guideline as many hobbyists have had great success with nutrients lower and higher than this. For temperature, keep it between 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit and stable.
Sinularia contains zooxanthllae, which provide the coral with its nutritional needs via photosynthesis. For this reason, you don’t need to feed this coral. However, if you want to feed it, simply dose your aquarium with live phytoplankton and amino acids.
Lastly, let’s talk about the potential toxicity of this coral. Don’t worry, it’s not harmful to humans at all. It can be harmful to stony corals, though. Some leather corals release toxins in the water to slow the growth of other corals, mostly stony corals. Sinularia aren’t guaranteed to do this, but there is a chance. The best way to combat this is by giving plenty of space between this coral and stony corals, running carbon, and doing water changes. These are all things most hobbyists do anyway.
Care requirements
Purchase Size: 1 – 2″
Placement: You can place this coral anywhere as long as its lighting and flow needs are met.
Lighting: Medium.
Flow: Moderate to strong.
Parameters: 72-78° F, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 32-35 ppt
More Information
This Neon Green Sinularia is aquacultured by ORA. This coral is hardier and better adapted to aquarium life than corals collected from the ocean. It is also far less likely to carry pests and diseases, though you should still dip and/or quarantine it to be safe. On top of all that, aquacultured corals are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
