Sarcophyton sp - Toadstool Leather, Mushroom Leather, Umbrella Leather PROFILE

[Pinkfish]

TOADSTOOL LEATHER

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.

Even though they are peaceful adequate space should be provided between them and other corals in the reef aquarium. Some can produce toxins which are harmful to other reef inhabitants.
Note that they can expand and contract ALOT !!!

Toadstool Leather Corals require medium to high lighting combined with medium to strong water movement. Some people say they will also require the addition of iodine, strontium, and other trace elements to the water, but I just do regular water changes.

These corals do sulk from time to time for up to 78 hours they will not expand. You will also see them release a layer of slime from time to time, this is nothing to worry about.




Picture of an older leather.


A very rare green polyp leather - wish it was in my tank (come from Fuiji)

Summary

Origin - Indonesia, Tonga, Fuiji
Temp - 75 to 80
Lighting - Medium to Strong
Feeding - Can dose the normal coral foods and brine or mysis.
Flow - Medium to Strong (Ideal would be medium variating flow)
Ease of Care - 5/5 Great for beginners.

Green and Yellow Toadstools are more fussy.

*Pictures and info tanken from the net and summerised by me*

[aero]

could some one tell my how to frag these? as i have a green polop one.
(pinkfish if your ever nr leeds or if im nr london you more than welcome to a frag of it!

[mousehunter22]

Aero PM mfcfan he has a huge leather that he regularly takes frags off he will tell you how to do it, Oh and when you do il buy one off you:D

[Blue]

could some one tell my how to frag these? as i have a green polop one.
(pinkfish if your ever nr leeds or if im nr london you more than welcome to a frag of it!

You can quite literally slice a piece off with a new stanley blade. When you do this, it is best to put the coral in a seperate bowl of your tank water, because as stated they can give off toxins. You can then elatic band or tie the frag to a piece of live rock rubble or similar. After 2 weeks or so the frag should be attatched to the rubble.

[aero]

how bad are theese toxins , as i couldnt remove this coral as its huge!!!

[Pinkfish]

how bad are theese toxins , as i couldnt remove this coral as its huge!!!

Not a problem you can still frag this coral just need to take an extra precaution.

I would use a Sharpe pair of scissors no a blade if going to fragg in tank.
Try and remove each frag with one cut.

1. Get some carbon (place it in either a reactor or a mesh bag (in an area where it will get flow through it. This helps to remove the toxins from the water. Mesh bag is more than fine.

2. Get a water change ready this is just to be extra safe ..... better safe than sorry.

3. Have some RO water ready to same temp of Tank, place the frags into this RO water whislt you collect all your frags. And whilst you attach them. Once attached give them a shake in the RO water and then transfer back to tank.

Note that your Parent Coral will sulk for a couple of days and Leather will take circa 2-3 weeks to heal. Ideally youwant some flow over the parent coral to avoid infection and spead healing.

4. Send me a frag of it :D :D :D :D

Happy Days
Mike

[Tom2006]

That green polyp leather is amazing. :eek:

[Tom2006]

Great write up That green polyp leather is amazing. :eek:

[MR Teee]

Spot on Mike, If I could make a suggestion though, A latin name(s) aswell as the common name would be a great help to me.

[d j]

great write up lots of helpfull info thanks:p