Toadstool Mushroom Leather
Coral
(Sarcophyton sp.)
COTM - Mar '08 - Sarcophyton sp.
(3Reef Post)
(Liveaquaria.com)
a.k.a.: Sarcophyton
Coral, Mushroom, Leather, or
Trough Corals.
Care Level: Easy
Lighting Requirements:
Moderate to High
Water Flow: Moderate
Range: Red Sea,
Indo-Pacific
Family: Alcyoniidae
Water Conditions: 74-80°
F; sg 1.023-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4;
dKH 8-12
Appearance: They are
found in various shades of
brown, tan or green, with white
or gold polyps. It is difficult
to identify many species because
they all have the similar
appearance of a mushroom or
toadstool, each with a distinct
stalk and capitulum (cap). As
they grow older, they develop a
folded appearance.
The brown Sarcophyton Leather
Corals from Indonesia and Tonga
are easy to maintain in the reef
aquarium and make an excellent
coral for the beginning through
expert reef aquarist. Toadstool
Mushroom Leather Corals require
medium to high lighting combined
with medium to strong water
movement. For continued good
health, they will also require
the addition of iodine,
strontium, and other trace
elements to the water.
Aggressiveness: They are
quite aggressive and should not
be placed near other corals.
Esp. Zoanthids. Will release
toxins into water if cut or
injured in tank. Always remove
from tank if fragging or
pruning.
Propagation: Fragging is
easy by cutting off a portion of
the Coral's crown and attaching
that piece to live rock or
placing it in the sandy bottom
of the reef aquarium.
Notes: Smaller specimens
are shaped like a mushroom,
however as they grow larger they
will take on an interesting
folded appearance. When fully
open the tops of these leather
corals are covered with numerous
polyps about 1 cm in length. As
with most leather corals they
may go through periods when
their polyps do not extend. They
may shrink and shed some of
their outer skin. Do not be
alarmed if this should occur it
is a natural process that they
go through. These leathers may
remain closed for several weeks
at a time, but will reopen
bigger and more beautiful than
ever. They require moderate
water currents and moderate to
high reef lighting for proper
health. Additions of iodine will
help to expedite their growth.
They can grow fast doubling in
size every 6 to 9 months and
quickly overtake tank, shading
other corals.
The large one on the left side
of tank is from frag of earlier
one chopped out couple of years
ago. It is already shading a
number of corals that have been
relocated in main tank or moved
to Nano.
(July 2008)
Here are a couple of other
varieties inhabiting tank.
While they look pretty much the
same, they are actually
distinctly different animals.
Growth rate, coloring, shape and
fineness of "mouths" are not the
same on any.
Great Beginner/New Tank
Coral!!!
Great link on species and
propagation at
G.A.R.F.
(G.A.R.F.
Sarcophyton Soft Corals)
Sarcophyton
(Toadstool) Growth
August 2007
September 2007
December 2007
January 2008
February 2008
March 2008
April 2008
June 2008
July 2008
- Have been moving other
corals around that are
affected by shading from
this burgeoning monster.
Trying to keep in tank for
as long as I can. Days are
probably numbered before
meetin with chopping block.
Awfully pretty though.
(July 2008)
