Leathers and Other Soft Corals
Sarcophyton Leather
Leathers and other "not necessarily related, but
similar-appearing soft corals" are corals
without an exoskeleton.
(Dull) Yellow Sarcophyton Leather, with Polyps Extended
They are extremely varied in shape and form,
as well as color. Most commonly, they are shades
of browns and grays, but there are many brightly
colored types too. The colors are usually a result
of the symbiotic zooanthellae (algae) that live
within the animal, just like hard corals.
And, as with hard corals, the sugary byproducts
of the algae's photosynthesis is a valuable food
source for the animal. Some like the "carnations"
are brightly colored, but not from zooanthellae.
Red Carnation & Pink Carnation (Dendronephthea)
In general, leathers are another of the easy "starter"
corals for folks who are not expert long time
reefkeepers. Most of the hardcore reefkeepers,
however, have some prized leather corals in their
tanks and collections. They are the perfect
visual contrast to the hard corals.
Tonga Green Finger Sinularia Leather
Like mushrooms and polyp rocks, most types do
very well under less than halide lighting, a
big plus in my view. Any of the various
reef-type fluorescent lighting will usually be
sufficient for keeping and growing them.
They often are abundant in lagoons, which are
areas of higher turbidity and poorer water
quality than the outer reef.
Yellow Leather with Blue Mushrooms
While their polyps are retracted they appear
smooth, but when they are distended, they
often appear nearly fuzzy. Some have polyps
that are colored in contrast with the main
body of the animal. There are ones with
short stalks and long polyps, short polyps
with long stalks, and others with no stalks.
Lobophyton Special Finger Leather
Mushroom/Toadstool/Umbrella Sarcophyton
Their names tell much about them: Finger Leather,
Yellow or Green Leather, Toadstool, Mushroom
or Umbrella Leather, Stubby Finger Leather,
Hairy Leather, Rose Leather, Cabbage or Flower
Leather, Devil's Hand or Finger, and so on.
Get the idea?
Devil's Finger Leather
Flower or Cabbage Leather
Hopefully the photos here will
help you sort them out, and maybe help you
decide what types you would like to have in
your tanks. It really is neat to see them all
smooth when the lights come on in the morning,
and watch as they extend their polyps
for a day of feeding.
Ridge Leather
Special Finger Leather
Flower or Cabbage Leather
Another neat thing about leathers is that
they are often accepted as a host for Clown
(anemone) fish (genus Amphiprion) when a
suitable anemone is not present. This has been
recorded in the wild, not just in captivity
in aquaria. Clownfish have spawned in captivity
with a leather coral for a host as well!
Another amazing aspect of leathers is that
they can be cultivated by cutting them! Many
people do this by slicing them with a single-edged
razor blade, in half, or quarters right down the
middle, and each piece will often grow into a
new leather, when done properly. WOW!, eh?
Sarcophyton Leathers
The most common leathers we see are in the
genera Sarcophyton (Toadstool, Mushroom or Umbrella
Leathers), and Lobophyton (Ridge, Rose, and other
wrinkled types). Some very similar looking corals
are often sold as leathers, particularly fingery
things, such as, Xenia, Lithophyton, Capnella,
Dendronepthea, Nepthea, Lemnalia, and others which
are "soft corals," but not actually leathers.
Stubby Finger Leather
"Lemnalia" - Neospongoides
Capnella
Leathers practice chemical warfare, since stinging
polyps (aggressive defense) or a hard skeleton
(passive defense) are not available options.
They emit chemicals toxic to potential threats,
like other corals trying to horn in on their
turf, so it is important to not let them touch,
or even be too near other corals. Usually this
is a few inches on either side of the fully
extended, opened up animal. Don't be fooled
by their shrunk up size, which sometimes they
do, appearing to be dying off. Then they often
shed an outer layer of "skin," followed by
a growth period after which it is larger than
before, when you thought it was dying. Some of
these chemicals are believed to have or hold
potential for being anti-carcinogens - that is
they might be cures for cancer.
Research is currently underway into
this possibility.
Xenia
Stubby Finger Leather
Maroon Carnation
Besides size, costs are generally based on color.
Bright yellow is more expensive than dull yellow.
The Tonga Yellow Leathers which everyone wants
when they see them, ship incredibly poorly.
Tens of thousands have arrived here at LAX, DOA!
That, or they have black areas, which quickly
take over till the whole thing is black and
rotten. Those that do well with them, keep them
in bright light, often near the surface, with
super high water quality and flow. I do not
sell them because I don't believe bringing in
20 of something to get 2 good ones is something
we should be doing. It is one of those items
on my "don't wanna sell" list.
Red Carnation
In stores, most leathers run from $30 (small
brown or gray ones), to $60 (large brown or
gray or small-med. colored types). More costly
are the fancy, large, or rare types and
colors, which may be $100 or more. You must
keep in mind the large and colorful types
require lots of water for shipping, and at
8.6 lbs. per U.S. gallon and that gets expensive!
Love Your Leathers!
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