Leather coral

Environment

Minimum volume 200 liters. Requires moderate to high lighting (150-250 PAR) for photosynthesis. Low to moderate flow, no direct violent current that would damage the tissue. Stable parameters: temperature 24-27°C, salinity 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, KH 7-10, calcium 400-450 mg/l, magnesium 1250-1350 mg/l. Place on stable support (rock), leaving space around (30-40 cm) as it can secrete toxic substances for other corals (chemical warfare). Good general circulation to remove the mucus it regularly produces.

Feeding

Derives most of its energy from zooxanthellae (symbiotic algae) through light. Supplemental feeding optional but beneficial: feed 1-2 times per week with phytoplankton, zooplankton or liquid foods for soft corals (at night, polyps open). Filters suspended particles. No excessive feeding that would pollute the water.

Tips & tankmates

Compatible with most reef fish and invertebrates. Beware of spacing: Sarcophyton can smother or poison neighboring corals through allelopathy. Sheds regularly (loses a mucus layer): normal process, do not handle, remove mucus debris if necessary. Goes through retraction phases (polyps closed) for several days: do not worry if parameters stable. Easy to frag: cut a piece of cap, attach to rock. Monitor pests (flatworms, filamentous algae on the stalk). Hardy species, excellent choice for starting a reef tank.

Sources

• Reef2Reef - Leather Coral Care Guide
• CoralPedia - Sarcophyton species
• Advanced Aquarist - Soft Coral Husbandry