Toadstool Leather Coral

Description:

• Scientific Name: Sarcophyton spp.

• Common Names: Toadstool leather coral, mushroom leather, toadstool coral

• Appearance:

  • Has a thick stalk with a broad, dome- or disc-shaped cap (like a toadstool mushroom).

  • The upper surface is covered with small polyps that extend during the day, giving it a soft, fuzzy look.

  • Colors are usually tan, beige, cream, or greenish-brown, but some morphs have fluorescent green polyps or golden hues.

  • Can grow quite large and become a centerpiece coral over time.

Care Level: Easy

Toadstool leathers are super resilient and ideal for beginners, but they do have some quirks to be aware of:

Do:

• Provide decent flow – It helps keep the coral clean and promotes polyp extension.

• Allow time to adjust – They may stay retracted for days or weeks when first introduced or relocated.

• Observe “shedding” behavior – It will periodically shed a waxy outer layer to remove algae or detritus. This is normal and temporary.

• Give it space – When large, it can shade or touch nearby corals, so don’t place it too close to others.

Avoid:

• Direct contact with other corals – Can be mildly aggressive with chemical warfare (allelopathy).

• Low flow – Leads to detritus buildup and poor polyp extension.

• Moving it too frequently – Can stress it and delay polyp extension.

Propagation:

• Very easy to frag! Cut a section from the cap and secure it to a rock with rubber bands, netting, or a toothpick.

• Frags will reattach and form new stalks over time.

Potential Issues:

• Polyps not extending? Could be due to:

  • Shedding (give it a few days)

  • Not enough flow

  • Irritation from nearby corals or pest activity

• Toxicity: Like many soft corals, toadstools release allelopathic compounds. Running activated carbon and ensuring good water movement helps mitigate this.

• Detritus buildup – Blowing it off with a turkey baster or powerhead every so often can help.

Bonus Tip:

Toadstools can get massive over time (up to a foot or more across), making them a stunning showpiece coral. Their soft sway and long polyps are especially gorgeous under blue LEDs.