Toadstool Leather Coral

The Toadstool Leather Coral (Sarcophyton sp.) is a highly recognizable and beloved soft coral. It features a thick, distinct stalk topped with a wide, mushroom-like cap from which hundreds of long, flowing polyps extend. They are hardy, undemanding, and can grow to massive, impressive sizes under moderate lighting and flow. A unique trait of the Toadstool is its tendency to periodically close its polyps completely and develop a waxy film over its cap. This is a natural shedding and cleansing process; strong alternating flow helps blow the shed film away, revealing a healthy, slightly larger coral underneath.