Fiji Gold Toadstool

The Yellow Leather is more commonly known as the Fiji Gold Toadstool, and adds dazzling color and texture to the reef. It is a spectacular yellow hue with equally saturated polyps. It’s cap often grows in a distinct ruffled shape.

The Yellow Leather is unique in that it reacts very negatively to being touched, in many cases developing brown infection which is difficult to cure. It should only be handled via the rock it is attached to, and should be given enough space around it to allow for full expansion, and supplied with sufficient water flow to prevent deflation. It does not respond well to fragging, but if an attempt must be made it should be done via restriction, not cutting. It demands higher light levels than most other leather corals, but is a rewarding animal when given proper care.

These corals receive most of their energy by utilizing the photosynthetic algae contained within their tissues. They will also benefit from occasional feedings of phytoplankton.

While leather corals have non-stinging tentacles, it is possible for them to release potent chemicals into the water which adversely affect the growth of stony corals; the use of carbon filtration (changed frequently) and regular water changes can minimize this. They occasionally retract all polyps and develop a waxy sheet over the surface which makes them look wet underwater; this is a natural cleansing behavior. Given good water flow the sheet will be shed into the water and the polyps will re-emerge. The sheet will break down naturally, but should be removed if seen floating in the water or if it covers another coral.

Once established this coral tends to be quite hardy, but may be prone to several types of pests. Snails such as the rapa rapa and little egg cowrie, nudibranches, and worms such as syllid worms, among others, may prey on soft corals. We recommend every coral be dipped before placed in a display aquarium. Leather corals may also be sensitive to the aluminum oxide in some phosphate-absorbing media.

• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Growth Speed: Fast
• Lighting: Medium - High
• Average Placement: Middle
• Water Flow: Medium - High
• Temperament: Semi-Aggressive