Leather Coral in Your Reef Aquarium: Tips and Tricks

In this comprehensive guide to keeping leather coral in reef aquariums, discover everything you need to know about caring for these stunning specimens. Commonly known as leather coral, colt coral, toadstool/mushroom coral, or tree coral, these corals are perfect for beginners due to their tolerance to various conditions and easy availability. Feeding leather corals is a breeze, as they possess specialized feeder tentacles capable of capturing small particles. Additionally, many leather corals can directly absorb nutrients from the water, simplifying their care even further. When it comes to lighting, leather corals are adaptable to a wide range of conditions, although faster growth is typically observed under higher light intensities (Level 2 to 8). Similarly, these corals can thrive in various water flow conditions, but moderate to high flow is ideal for keeping their surfaces clean and healthy. Placement is crucial when housing leather corals alongside stony corals, as leather corals produce potent toxins that can harm their stony counterparts. It’s recommended to keep them in separate tanks, or if housed together, ensure the leathers are downstream from the stony corals. Adding sufficient amounts of carbon to the system helps mitigate any potential issues when keeping both types of corals. Overall, leather corals are fantastic additions to any reef aquarium, offering both beauty and ease of care. If your leather corals exhibit temporary shutdowns or refuse to open their polyps, don’t panic—this behavior is often observed during tank acclimatization or growth phases. With patience and proper care, your leather corals will thrive and enhance the beauty of your aquarium for years to come.