Description
Care
The Toadstool Corals, alsoknown as Mushroom or Leather Corals, are hardy species that resemble mushroomsor flared vases, and are found in various colours ranging from brown, beige,yellow, purple, or green, with white or gold polyps. There are over 40 speciescurrently known, however, they are very difficult to identify to species leveldue to the similarity in appearance. Toadstool Corals are not particularlyaggressive, but adequate space should be provided between them and neighbouringcorals, as they can produce chemicals that may have a detrimental effect onother species. Likewise, other species (such as some of the stony corals) maybe capable of sending out stinging sweeper tentacles, so your Toadstool Coralshould be placed out of reach of these. Normally with appropriate filtrationany toxins that are released can be efficiently dealt with and should notaffect your reef. However, it is important to remember that as your ToadstoolCoral grows larger, these toxins may begin to build up if filtration is notstepped up accordingly and this may start to affect the health of your reef.This is not meant to put you off of purchasing one of these magnificent coralsbut it is something to be aware of as it matures. Most Sarcophyton spp. have a rounded trunk which firmly attaches thecoral to the substrate; the trunk can range from tall and slender to short andfat, even appearing non-existent in some specimens. On top of the trunk sits arounded, flattened cap known as the capitulum, and in some species this takeson a much more folded or fluted appearance as the coral matures. Numerous polyps ariseand retract from pores in the capitulum, and when fully extended these may waveback and forth in the current. Once again, there is a great degree ofvariability in these polyps, some long forms having large tentacles, othershorter forms with pinnate tentacles at the tip, giving a feathery appearance. Toadstoolsgo through cycles of polyp extension and retraction, and at times, the top ofthe capitulum can be quite smooth. The polyps are most typically fully extendedduring the day, and retracted at night, although newly acquired specimens maytake a little while to settle and may stay retracted for the first few days.The aquarium itself should be very spacious to allow your Toadstool Coralplenty of room to grow. As most in the trade are not identified to specieslevel, it can be tricky to know the exact maximum size, but many grow 30-60cm(1-2ft) across the capitulum, so allow plenty of room. As all Toadstool Coralscontain symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae), they must be kept under good lightingto stay healthy. Many are kept very successfully beneath high outputfluorescent lighting (T5 tubes) but the best growth will occur under metalhalides or intense LEDs. Water movement should be moderate to strong. ToadstoolCorals will periodically produce and shed a waxy-looking coating. This processis thought to rid the coral of debris or algae that may have started toaccumulate on its capitulum. Once the waxy coating starts to form, the coralwith slough it off within a few days, after which time the polyps willre-emerge. If you notice this process beginning to occur, observe carefully andtry to be ready to net as much of the coating from the water as possible whenthe coral sheds it, to prevent it from causing irritation to other animalswithin the aquarium. If clownfish are present in the same aquarium, and theyhave no host anemone, they are highly likely to take up residence in yourToadstool Coral.
Feeding
This is a zooxanthellatespecies; it does not appear to feed in the aquarium, yet tends to do better intanks that receive relatively heavy feedings of plankton, baby brine shrimp,and foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates.
Propagation
Easily propagated fromcuttings "“ the simplest way is to cut a piece off of the capitulum with a clean,sharp razor blade or scalpel, and provided the parent specimen is placed in anarea of high flow (to keep the cut free of detritus) and excellent waterquality is maintained, it should heal quickly. The cutting should then beattached to a small piece of rock or rubble (either tie it on, or useaquarium-safe fragging glue) and placed in an area of lower current until ithas firmly attached itself. These corals also sometimes reproduce by selffragmentation, that is, they are capable of dropping pieces from theircapitulum, by themselves, to form larger colonies.
