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Datasheet
| Care Description | When people imagine soft corals, one of the most popular corals that come to mind is the Toadstool Leather Coral. Like its name-sake, the toadstool leather forms a large, mushroom-like shape from which long tentacles extend. They prefer modest lighting and strong flow in the aquarium and when provided favorable conditions can grow to enormous sizes. Toadstool Leather Corals are one of the few corals that host clownfish well as clownfish gravitate to them more than other types of coral and the coral itself is well adapted to handle the contact from the fish. Please see below for additional care tips for Sarcophyton. |
| Water Flow | Moderate - Strong |
| Temperature | 22.2°C / 71.96°F - 25.6°C / 78.08°F |
| Specific Gravity | 1.023-1.026 |
| Carbonate Hardness | 8-12 |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
General Description
The Toadstool Leather Coral, specifically the Neon Green Tip Toadstool Leather, is a popular soft coral known for its large, mushroom-like shape with long tentacles extending from a cream-colored base. They are sought after by beginners and collectors alike for their hardiness and unique appearance. These corals are currently not being collected from the wild due to conservation efforts.
Demands and Hardiness
Toadstool Leather Corals thrive in aquariums with modest lighting and strong water flow. They can grow to substantial sizes when provided with favorable conditions. These corals are well adapted to handle contact from clownfish, making them a preferred host for these fish in the aquarium setting.
Lighting
Sarcophyton leathers do not require intense lighting compared to other corals. They can be maintained under normal output fluorescents without much difficulty, making them suitable for a range of tank setups.
Water Flow
Toadstool Leather Corals prefer moderate to strong water movement, although they can also adapt to high flow conditions. The regular shedding of a waxy layer, approximately once a month, is facilitated by adequate water flow which helps in its removal.
Feeding
These corals predominantly rely on products from their zooxanthellae for nutrition but may also actively feed on phytoplankton and small microfauna in the water column. Liquid and powdery foods containing Phytoplankton and Zooplankton in small particle sizes are suitable for their feeding requirements.
Propagation
The Toadstool Leather Coral genus has been extensively propagated in captivity, making it an excellent candidate for aquaculture. With sustained efforts, achieving a sustainable harvest of these corals in the future is a plausible possibility.
Localization & Habitat
Toadstool Leathers, like the Neon Green Tip Toadstool Leather, are native to the Indo-Pacific islands, including regions such as Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. Their natural habitat consists of shallow reef environments with appropriate light and water flow conditions for their growth and survival.