Crown Leather Coral (Sarcophyton elegans)
Introduce a touch of regal elegance to your marine aquarium with the Crown Leather Coral, also known as Sarcophyton elegans. This stunning soft coral is celebrated for its distinctive, crown-like appearance and luxurious texture. The Crown Leather Coral features broad, undulating polyps that form a lush, leathery cap, creating a striking contrast in any reef tank. Its coloration varies from subtle greens to deep browns, enhancing the visual appeal of your aquatic setup while providing a dynamic movement as it sways with the water flow.
Key Features:
- Species: Sarcophyton elegans
- Appearance: Crown-like polyps with a leathery texture
- Coloration: Ranges from soft greens to rich browns
- Size: Can reach up to 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter
- Placement: Best positioned in the mid to lower sections of the aquarium
Care Requirements:
1. Lighting: The Crown Leather Coral thrives under moderate lighting. A combination of actinic and daylight spectrum lights is ideal to simulate natural reef conditions and bring out its vibrant colors. LED or T5 lighting systems are suitable options.
2. Water Flow: Moderate water flow is essential. The coral’s polyps need enough movement to extend fully but can become stressed with strong currents. Aim for gentle to moderate water movement to ensure optimal health and growth.
3. Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 74-80°F (23-27°C)
- Salinity: 1.025-1.027 specific gravity
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
- Calcium: 400-450 ppm
- Nitrate: < 10 ppm
4. Feeding: While primarily photosynthetic, the Crown Leather Coral benefits from supplemental feeding. Offer finely ground marine foods, such as phytoplankton or specialized coral foods, once or twice a week to enhance its health and growth.
5. Maintenance: Regular water changes (10-15% weekly) help maintain water quality. Check for pests or diseases periodically and ensure that the coral has ample space to grow and spread.
6. Placement: Provide adequate space around the Crown Leather Coral to accommodate its growth. Avoid placing it near aggressive corals or in areas where it might compete for space and resources.
With its captivating appearance and relatively easy care requirements, the Crown Leather Coral is a beautiful addition to any reef aquarium, bringing a touch of sophistication and vibrant movement to your underwater world.
It is normally shipped attached to a small piece of live rock or rubble. The symbiotic algae zooxanthellae hosted within its body provides the majority of its nutritional needs from the light driven process of photosynthesis. It will also benefit from additional food such as micro-plankton, baby brine shrimp, or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates such as our
Live Rock and Coral Food.
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