Thick-stem Toadstool (Sarcophyton crassocaule) Care Guide
Sarcophyton crassocaule is a thick-stalked toadstool leather coral, photosynthetic and robust, tolerating a wide parameter range.
Overview
Sarcophyton crassocaule is a thick-stalked toadstool leather coral of the genus Sarcophyton. Like its relatives it forms a stalked, mushroom-shaped colony with a broad capitulum bearing short polyps, and it is a robust, hardy soft coral that tolerates a wide range of conditions.
Taxonomy
- Family: Alcyoniidae
- Genus: Sarcophyton (Lesson, 1834)
- Scientific name: Sarcophyton crassocaule
- Authority: Moser, 1919
Habitat
The genus is native to the Indo-Pacific. These corals are photosynthetic, deriving most of their energy from symbiotic zooxanthellae, and are commonly kept in reef aquaria.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 SG
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- dKH (alkalinity): 8-11
- Calcium: 380-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Lighting: medium to high, around 75-200 PAR
- Flow: medium to high, ideally strong and randomized
Diet
Leather corals are photosynthetic and meet most of their energy needs through their zooxanthellae. Direct feeding is generally unnecessary and may foul the tissue, causing secondary infection.
Chemical defense and shedding
Sarcophyton produces the toxic terpene sarcophytoxide, which deters predators and provides an allelopathic advantage over neighboring corals. The coral periodically retracts its polyps and forms a waxy mucus coat that it sheds; remove any shed material to maintain water quality.
Compatibility
It is reef-safe and compatible with reef fish and shrimp, but because of its chemical defenses it should be given space from other corals it may irritate on contact.