I think this is a leather...

[herostar]

So I picked this up from a local aquarist (vikebron) and he told me it was a leather. I have looked around and haven't really been able to find info on any leathers like it though. If anyone could please give me a little insight as to a more specific name for this nice coral and maybe some advice on caring for it. It is about 2" tall and very healthy.

 

[jbittner]

looks like a Tyree Le Green Polyp sacro (little washed out--did you use the flash). If it's a little more green in person--then Green Polyp Sacro. When they grow up they are beautiful corals. Hard to find and generally pricey.

 

[Hormigaquatica]

Its a species of Sarcophyton aka Toadstool/Mushroom Leather. The green highlights mean that it will probably want stronger light than most leathers, otherwise it will fade. Sarcos are pretty fast growing, though greens and yellows are slightly slower than others. A bluer spectrum will help maintain the color.
Very easy to care for- give it decent flow and moderate to high light, and just let it do its thing... thats a nice specimine

 

[herostar]

Ya it looks much better in the tank than the picture. Thanks guys!

 

[No Worries1979]

That's a nice one! Mine looks similar, but without the green. Congrats!

 

[gotboostedvr6]

IMO they are slow growers that require a decent amount of light

 

[herostar]

Ok, so it hasn't opened up in the last two days and the top of the leather looks a little glossy.... Otherwise it looks healthy though. The little bud on the base has been opening still. Should I be worried? I just moved it into a spot with a little more flow and 3" closer to the light (in a 10g).


Edit: Tank is a 10g w/ 80w pc, ac70 fuge w/ cheato & LR, minijet 606 powerhead for extra flow, ~10 weeks old.

 

[Hormigaquatica]

They will get that waxy looking coating from time to time- normal growing/cleaning process (as long as water params are all in good order). Just keep it in decent water flow and that layer should float off in a couple days. Happens quite regularly with leather corals.

 

[theyeg2]

I currently have 5 green Sarcos. I have found that they grow fairly slowly. Also, mine do not liked to be touched or moved around a lot. I run carbon 24/7 and dose Lugols iodine every few days.

 

[JasonLL]

Ditto what Hormigauatica said. I have the same coral and was very worried when the polyps quit protruding and it got that waxy look. A few days later, maybe 5, back to normal and it continued growing.

Mine has since dropped to buds - just kind of started falling off of the main top section. Both have since taken root and started growing.

It my favorite coral - good job picking one up.

 

[herostar]

Thanks for the advise guys!

Yesterday it opened up again, just like you all said. It's nice and happy now!

Is there anything special I should be doing as far as feeding? Right now my tank gets a dose of DT's and Cyclop-eze once a week...

 

[Hormigaquatica]

You dont 'have' to feed a sarco; there is likely enough debris floating around the tank from food and fish waste to provide it with enough food. If you want to try and directly feed it though, phyto is OK, though its more likely to use detrius/marine snow. Cyclopeeze will be too large for the polyps to capture I believe- theyre not really designed to hunt and kill prey- more passive collection if i remember right.

 

[dangpride]

very nice coral u got there. it is a sarcophyton ehrenbergi from maurtitius.very expensive leather...

 

[herostar]

Allright guys, the leather is doing great. I think it has acclimated well over the last couple weeks now and I want to move it off of the plug and attach it to a rock in my tank. What is the best method for me to do this?