Toadstool Leather Coral

Sarcophyton elegans is the classic Toadstool Leather Coral, prized for its large mushroom-shaped cap covered in tiny white polyps that wave gently in moderate current, creating mesmerizing movement in the reef aquarium. One of the most forgiving corals in the hobby, it tolerates a wide range of water conditions while adding dramatic scale and texture. Periodic total polyp retraction lasting days to weeks is normal and indicates a healthy shedding of its surface mucus coat.

Position in moderate flow (not direct blasting) under medium to high lighting. During mucus-shedding retraction (which can last 1–2 weeks) the coral looks deflated and may smell musty — this is normal; increase flow slightly and be patient. Fragging is simple: cut through the stalk with a sharp blade and attach the frag to rockwork with a toothpick or coral epoxy. Can produce potent allelopathic chemicals that irritate sensitive SPS corals — rinse via carbon filtration after fragging.