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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 White Tip variety, is a sought-after soft coral known for its mushroom-like appearance with long tentacles extending from a pink body that terminates in a snow-white tip. This coral is relatively easy to care for and can grow to significant sizes under the right conditions.
Demands and Hardiness
Toadstool Leather Corals prefer modest lighting and strong water flow in the aquarium to thrive. They can handle contact from clownfish well, making them a suitable host for these fish. The coral feeds on the smallest of particles, including Phytoplankton and Zooplankton, relying heavily on the products of its zooxanthellae for nutrition.
Lighting
Sarcophyton leathers do not require intense lighting compared to some other coral species. They can be maintained under normal output fluorescents without much difficulty, making them a versatile choice for various tank setups.
Water Flow
Moderate to strong water movement is recommended for Toadstool Leather Corals, although they can also tolerate high flow conditions. The regular shedding of a waxy layer by this coral about once a month requires adequate water flow to remove debris and maintain the coral's health.
Feeding
Toadstool Leather Corals primarily feed on phytoplankton, zooxanthellae products, and similarly sized microfauna in the water column. Liquid and powdery foods rich in nutrients like Phytoplankton and Zooplankton (20um-1mm particles) are suitable for supplementing their diet and promoting growth.
Propagation
The White Tip Toadstool Leather Coral genus has been extensively propagated in captivity, making it an excellent candidate for aquaculture. With proper practices, it is possible to achieve sustainable harvesting of these corals in the future.
Localization & Habitat
Toadstool Leather Corals, including the White Tip variety, are commonly found in the islands of the Indo-Pacific region, such as Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. Their natural habitat provides insights into the ideal environmental conditions required for their successful care in aquarium settings.