Scientific
Name: Sarcophyton alcyonidae
Classification: Soft Coral
- Leather Coral
Common Names: Gold Crowned Toadstool, Sarcophyton
Description:
Toadstools belong to the large group of leather corals. They are light
brown in color. The coral has a large heavy stock with a rounded wavy cap
similar to a mushroom. The cap is covered with tentacles which have
lighter, golden colored polyps at their tips. These tentacles may be extended
during the day or night. Toadstool corals can grow quite large and some tank
specimens exceed several feet in diameter.
Natural Environment:
? This coral is normally collected in the wild, but it is easily
propagated.
Care:
Hardiness: Toadstools tend to
be very hardy corals. They will sometimes withdraw their
tentacles and get a waxy look to their surface for periods of time of up
to a week or more. This is normal as the animal periodically sloughs off a
layer of skin. Very extended periods
of withdrawal can indicate that
the coral is not happy with its environment. Usage of Phosguard
and similar aluminum based phosphate binding agents can cause the
leather coral to withdraw as well. This doesn't seem to cause
long term problems for the coral.
Lighting: Very tolerant of lighting conditions. Does well from
moderate lighting up to very intense.
Water Current: Toadstools like a low to moderate water flow
that gently waves their tentacles like a field of wheat in the wind.
Temperature: Does well within a range of at least 75º to 84º F.
Aggressiveness: Very low. Sheer size as the specimen
grows can shadow or crowd its neighbors.
Feeding: Toadstools are photosynthetic and do not require direct
feeding.
Supplements: No special requirement are noted. Normal acceptable
water parameters seem to suite it just fine.
Tank Positioning: No special requirements other than keeping them out
of forceful water flow.
