Yellow Toadstool Leather Care Guide
Sarcophyton glaucum is a well-documented toadstool leather coral, photosynthetic and hardy, with a strong terpenoid chemical defense.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Sarcophyton glaucum is among the best-documented species of the toadstool leather coral genus Sarcophyton. It forms a stalked, mushroom-shaped colony with a broad cap bearing short polyps, and in aquarium specimens the polyps are commonly yellow-green over a tan-brown stalk. It is a hardy soft coral.
Taxonomy
- Family: Alcyoniidae
- Genus: Sarcophyton (Lesson, 1834)
- Scientific name: Sarcophyton glaucum
- Authority: (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833)
Habitat
The genus is native to the Indo-Pacific. Sarcophyton 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
This species is photosynthetic and meets most energy needs through its zooxanthellae. Direct feeding is generally unnecessary and may foul the tissue, leading to secondary infection.
Chemical defense and shedding
Sarcophyton produces the toxic terpene macrolide sarcophytoxide, an antifeedant that also reduces photosynthesis in neighboring corals such as Acropora formosa. The false cowry Ovula ovum preys on Sarcophyton and can probably detoxify sarcophytoxide. The coral periodically retracts its polyps and sheds a waxy mucus coat, which should be removed.
Compatibility
It is reef-safe and compatible with reef fish and shrimp, but because of its chemical defenses it should be given ample space from corals it may irritate or burn on contact.
Sarcophyton glaucum: Fragging and Propagation
Overview
Sarcophyton glaucum is a toadstool leather coral that grows up to about 80 cm in the wild, typically on reef flats, in lagoons and on seaward slopes, and ranges from the Red Sea to the western Pacific. It is an octocoral whose polyps bear eight tentacles, and in the Red Sea it is one of the most prevalent soft corals of the family Alcyoniidae. Photosynthetic zooxanthellae supply most of its energy.
Reproductive Mode
In the aquarium the species is multiplied asexually by fragging the fleshy crown; cuttings regenerate into new colonies. Sexual broadcast spawning occurs in nature but is not the route used by hobbyists.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
A sterile sharp blade is used to cut a wedge from the capitulum margin, which is then divided into frags. Because the slick surface resists adhesive, frags are banded, held in mesh or onion bag, or set on rubble in low flow to attach on their own. Many propagators dip cuttings in iodine and then clean seawater to disinfect and remove slime.
Conditions for Propagation
- Lighting: 75-200 PAR (medium)
- Flow: moderate, increased once anchored
- Temperature: 24-26 C
- Mature tank: at least about 3 months old
- Net out shed mucus to protect neighbours
Sexual Reproduction
Gonochoric octocoral colonies release gametes during mass spawning; fertilised eggs develop into planula larvae that disperse before settling and budding into new colonies. This natural pathway is not used for home propagation.
Common Challenges
Recovering frags commonly retract and form a shiny waxy film that is shed within days as the polyps reopen. S. glaucum produces cembrane terpenes, including the diterpenoid sarcophytol A, which protect against pests, fouling and competitors; the slime released while cutting should be removed so it does not irritate other corals.