Ehrenberg's leather coral (Sarcophyton ehrenbergi) care guide
- Group
- Corals
- Other names
- Toadstool leather coral, Mushroom leather coral, Sarcophyton
- Family
- Alcyoniidae (leather corals)
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific and Red Sea; shallow reefs and lagoons
- Water
- saltwater
- Temperature
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- dKH 8–12
- Care level
- beginner
- Reef safe
- with_caution
- Lighting
- Moderate to high; about PAR 100–200 (Top Shelf Aquatics)
- Flow
- Moderate to strong, varied and indirect
Care
A toadstool leather coral: a smooth stalk topped by a broad cap covered in short polyps, so it looks like a mushroom when the polyps are open. The cap becomes folded and ruffled as the colony ages, which is normal. Colonies are usually cream, tan or brown with white, cream or green polyps. Placement: middle to upper rockwork on a sturdy rock with space for the cap to spread; it can grow large enough to shade corals below it. Light and flow: moderate to high light and moderate to strong, varied flow, which keeps the surface clean and helps it shed. Water: hardy and forgiving, a good first coral. LiveAquaria recommends regular iodine, strontium and trace elements. Every few weeks it may close up and shed a waxy skin, sometimes for several days; leave it alone during this time. Closure lasting more than about two weeks suggests pests, chemical stress or unstable water. Growth: moderate to fast once settled. LiveAquaria and Top Shelf Aquatics give figures for Sarcophyton in general rather than this species. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/green-polyp-toadstool-mushroom-leather-coral); Top Shelf Aquatics (topshelfaquatics.com/pages/corals/green-toadstool-leather-coral). Checked October 2026.
Diet
Photosynthetic: zooxanthellae supply most of its energy, and it also absorbs dissolved nutrients. Target feeding is not needed; occasional phytoplankton, micro-plankton or fine particulate foods can support growth. Very nutrient-poor tanks can make it pale.
Breeding
Easy to propagate. Cut a wedge from the edge of the cap, or remove the whole cap, with a sharp scalpel or razor; the stump regrows a new cap. Attach the cut piece to rock with a rubber band, mesh, a toothpick or a cable tie until it attaches (one to two weeks). Superglue does not hold well on soft tissue. The colony can also drop small daughter colonies from its base.
Compatibility and tank mates
Peaceful in the sense that it has no sweeper tentacles, but leather corals release terpenoid chemicals into the water that can stress or stunt stony corals, especially those directly downstream. Run activated carbon, change it often, keep up regular water changes and give the leather 15–20 cm of clear space, more from SPS and LPS. It is safe with fish and most invertebrates; some angelfish and butterflyfish may nibble it.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.