Yellow Fiji Leather (Sarcophyton elegans) Care Guide
Sarcophyton elegans is a yellow Fiji toadstool leather with frilled cap edges that demands high light and strong flow, unlike most leathers.
Overview
Sarcophyton elegans, the Fiji yellow leather coral, has a bright yellow crown (capitulum) with short yellow polyps and highly undulated, frilled edges that distinguish it from typical toadstool corals. The frilly margin adds surface area compared to standard varieties.
Taxonomy
- Family: Alcyoniidae
- Genus: Sarcophyton (Lesson, 1834)
- Scientific name: Sarcophyton elegans
- Authority: Moser, 1919
Habitat
It was historically known almost exclusively from Fiji and occurs most abundantly in shallow, clear reef environments with open-ocean characteristics. Like other Sarcophyton it hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae and is photosynthetic.
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: high intensity, around 75-200 PAR; demands more light than typical leathers
- Flow: strong, with upwelling circulation
Diet
It is photosynthetic and meets most of its energy needs via zooxanthellae. Maintaining its bright yellow coloration in captivity is challenging and depends on strong, broad-spectrum lighting.
Care notes
Unlike most soft corals, S. elegans demands high light and strong flow comparable to SPS coral requirements, and consistent growth in home aquariums has historically been difficult. It is best placed away from other corals that might compete for resources.
Compatibility
It is reef-safe and compatible with reef fish and shrimp. As with other leather corals, it should be given space from neighbors to avoid chemical irritation.