QUICK STATS

Care Level: Easy
Coral Type: Soft Coral / Leather Coral
Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive Chemically
Photosynthetic: Yes
Placement: Lower to Middle
Lighting: Moderate
Water Flow: Moderate to Strong, Indirect
Approximate Purchase Size: Varies by Frag / Cap Size
Approximate Max Size: Can Grow Into a Large Colony With Time and Space

BLUE TIP TOADSTOOL LEATHER CORAL

The Blue Tip Toadstool Leather Coral is a hardy soft coral variety known for its mushroom-like shape, thick stalk, broad cap, and extended polyps that may show blue, blue-white, icy blue, teal, or pale cool-toned tips depending on lighting and the specific specimen. Under blue-heavy reef lighting, the polyp tips can create a soft glowing contrast against the coral’s tan, cream, greenish, or muted base coloration.

Toadstool Leather Corals are popular because they are forgiving, adaptable, and capable of becoming impressive display corals over time. They bring movement and texture to reef aquariums without the skeletal demands of LPS or SPS corals. Basically, it is a coral that grows like a tiny reef umbrella and occasionally sulks for no apparent reason, because apparently even easy corals need hobbies.

The Blue Tip Toadstool Leather Coral is photosynthetic and receives much of its energy from reef lighting. It can also absorb dissolved nutrients and capture fine particles from the water column. While it is considered beginner-friendly, it still does best in stable water conditions with adequate flow, proper spacing, and a mature aquarium.

This coral is generally considered peaceful, but leather corals can release chemical compounds that may irritate nearby corals, especially sensitive SPS or LPS in mixed reef systems. Activated carbon and regular water changes can help reduce chemical warfare. Soft coral drama is quieter than torch coral violence, but it still counts.

Note: Image is a representation of what to expect. The coral you receive may vary slightly in size, cap shape, stalk thickness, polyp extension, tip coloration, and overall appearance.

AQUARIUM REQUIREMENTS

AQUARIUM SIZE

A minimum aquarium size of 20 gallons or larger is recommended for a Blue Tip Toadstool Leather Coral. Smaller aquariums can work if they are mature and stable, but larger systems provide better water stability and more room for growth.

Toadstool Leather Corals can become large over time, especially once established. A small frag may eventually develop into a broad-capped colony that shades nearby corals and claims more space than expected. This is how reef tanks quietly become real estate disputes with polyps.

PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

The Blue Tip Toadstool Leather Coral is best placed in the lower to middle areas of the aquarium where it receives moderate lighting and moderate to strong indirect flow. It can adapt to a range of placements, but sudden changes in light or flow should be avoided.

Rock Placement: Place securely on stable rockwork where the coral has room to expand and grow upward. Toadstools attach best to rock, rubble, or a secure frag base.

Sandbed Placement: Temporary sandbed placement can work during acclimation if the coral is attached to rubble or a frag plug. Long-term placement is usually better on rockwork where it can attach securely.

Spacing: Leave space around the coral for future cap expansion and chemical interaction with neighbors. Toadstools may not sting like LPS corals, but they can shade nearby corals and release compounds into the water.

Mixed Reef Placement: Avoid placing directly next to sensitive SPS, delicate LPS, or corals that may be irritated by leather coral chemicals. Running activated carbon is helpful in mixed reefs because apparently even soft corals participate in invisible warfare.

WATER PARAMETERS

The Blue Tip Toadstool Leather Coral does best in clean, stable reef conditions. It is more forgiving than many stony corals, but stability still improves growth, polyp extension, and long-term health.

Temperature: 75-80°F
pH Level: 8.1-8.4
Salinity: 1.024-1.026 specific gravity
Alkalinity: 8-11 dKH
Calcium: 380-450 ppm
Magnesium: 1250-1350 ppm
Nitrate: 5-20 ppm
Phosphate: 0.03-0.12 ppm

Toadstool Leather Corals often tolerate moderate nutrients better than many SPS corals. Avoid ultra-sterile systems where nutrients are stripped too aggressively. “Clean” is good. “Biologically empty showroom water” is less useful, despite what equipment marketing keeps whispering.

LIGHTING

The Blue Tip Toadstool Leather Coral prefers moderate lighting, though it can adapt to a fairly wide range of reef lighting when acclimated slowly.

LIGHTING RECOMMENDATIONS

Moderate PAR: A general target range of 75-175 PAR works well for many toadstool leather corals. Some specimens can adapt lower or higher depending on flow, nutrients, and acclimation.

Light Acclimation: New frags should be acclimated gradually to stronger lighting. Start lower or in indirect light, then adjust slowly based on polyp extension and coloration.

Color Display: Blue tip coloration usually shows best under blue-heavy reef lighting, especially when the polyps are fully extended.

Too Much Light: Signs may include staying closed, pale coloration, tissue stress, or failure to extend polyps.

Too Little Light: Signs may include stretching, dull coloration, poor growth, or weak polyp extension over time.

Do not blast a new Blue Tip Toadstool with high light immediately because it is “just a leather.” Easy coral does not mean immortal coral. Humanity keeps confusing those words, tragically.

WATER FLOW

The Blue Tip Toadstool Leather Coral prefers moderate to strong, indirect water flow. Flow should be strong enough to keep the cap clean and help remove the waxy film it sheds, but not so direct that the coral stays closed or the tissue becomes irritated.

FLOW RECOMMENDATIONS

Ideal Flow: Moderate to strong, random, indirect flow that moves across the cap and polyps without blasting one spot continuously.

Avoid Direct Jets: Strong direct flow from a powerhead can cause the coral to retract, lean, or stay closed.

Shedding Support: Toadstool Leather Corals periodically shed a shiny waxy layer. Good flow helps remove this layer so the coral can reopen fully.

Avoid Dead Spots: Too little flow can allow detritus, film, or mucus to build up on the cap.

Watch the Polyps: Healthy flow should move the polyps gently and keep the cap clean. It should not flatten the coral like it owes the powerhead money.

If the coral stays closed for a few days and looks shiny, it may be shedding. This is normal. If it stays closed too long, collects debris, or develops dark irritated spots, evaluate flow and water quality before launching into full panic theater.

DIET

The Blue Tip Toadstool Leather Coral is photosynthetic, meaning it receives much of its energy from light through its symbiotic zooxanthellae. It can also absorb dissolved nutrients and capture fine suspended foods from the water column.

PRIMARY DIET

Photosynthesis: Proper lighting provides much of the coral’s energy.

Dissolved Nutrients: Moderate nitrate and phosphate levels can help support growth and polyp extension.

Broadcast Feeding: The coral may capture fine particles during regular fish and coral feeding.

Fine Coral Foods: Phytoplankton-style blends, amino acids, powdered coral foods, and very fine suspended foods may be used carefully in established systems.

FEEDING FREQUENCY

Direct target feeding is usually not necessary. General reef feeding or light broadcast feeding 1-2 times per week can be beneficial if nutrients are not already high.

Avoid heavy feeding in small tanks. The coral is a leather, not a trash compactor wearing polyps.

COMPATIBILITY

The Blue Tip Toadstool Leather Coral works well in many soft coral, mixed reef, and beginner-friendly reef aquariums. It is generally peaceful by direct contact compared with many stinging LPS corals, but chemical compatibility and spacing still matter.

COMMON TANK MATES

Fish: Reef-safe fish such as clownfish, gobies, blennies, wrasses, tangs, cardinalfish, firefish, anthias, and other peaceful to semi-peaceful community fish.

Avoid: Fish known to nip soft corals, such as some angelfish, butterflyfish, filefish, puffers, and certain triggers.

Invertebrates: Generally safe with cleaner shrimp, snails, hermit crabs, urchins, and most common reef invertebrates. Large urchins or bulldozing snails may move unsecured frags.

Coral: Can be kept with many soft corals, zoanthids, mushrooms, LPS, and SPS when spacing and filtration are managed.

Sensitive Neighbors: Use caution near sensitive SPS, delicate LPS, or corals that dislike leather coral chemicals. Activated carbon and good water changes can help reduce irritation in mixed reefs.

BEHAVIORAL NOTES

Temperament: Peaceful by sting, but semi-aggressive chemically. Leather corals can release compounds that irritate nearby corals.

Shedding Cycle: Toadstool Leather Corals periodically close and shed a waxy surface film. This helps clean the coral’s surface. Good flow helps remove the shed layer.

Polyp Extension: Healthy specimens usually show extended polyps from the cap once settled. Polyps may retract at night, during shedding, after handling, or when irritated.

Coloration: Blue tips may appear icy blue, pale blue, blue-white, teal, or cool-toned depending on lighting, stress, nutrients, and photography conditions.

Growth Pattern: Develops a stalk and broad cap over time, creating the classic toadstool shape. Larger colonies can shade nearby corals.

Hardiness: Generally hardy and beginner-friendly once established, especially in stable aquariums with appropriate flow.

Chemical Warfare: Running activated carbon is recommended in mixed reefs with leather corals, especially if SPS or sensitive LPS are present.

Frag Handling: Handle by the plug, rock, or base whenever possible. Avoid squeezing or tearing the soft tissue.

Attachment: If not already attached, leather frags may need time to secure themselves to rubble or rock. Use loose rubber bands, toothpick methods, bridal veil mesh, or coral-safe attachment methods carefully.

Dipping: Coral dipping before introduction is recommended to reduce pests and contaminants. Use coral-safe dips according to product directions.

Pest Awareness: Inspect for flatworms, nudibranchs, algae, vermetid snails, or other hitchhikers before placing into the display.

Placement Reality: This coral can grow into a large showpiece over time. Plan space early, because moving a giant established leather later is how aquarists learn humility with wet sleeves.

ACCLIMATION PROCESS

This acclimation method helps reduce stress by gradually introducing the coral to your aquarium’s temperature, lighting, and water chemistry.

1. DIM THE LIGHTS

Turn down aquarium lights or place the coral in a shaded lower area at first. This helps reduce stress while the coral adjusts.

2. FLOAT THE BAG

Float the sealed bag in the aquarium for 15-20 minutes to allow the temperature in the bag to equalize with the tank.

3. OPEN BAG, ADD CORAL TO CONTAINER

Carefully open the bag and transfer the coral and shipping water into a clean container. Handle the coral by the plug, rock, or base rather than squeezing the soft tissue.

4. ACCLIMATE USING TANK WATER

Add small amounts of tank water to the container every few minutes for 20-30 minutes.

5. CORAL DIP

Use a coral-safe dip according to the product instructions. This can help reduce pests and contaminants before the coral enters your aquarium.

6. TRANSFER CORAL TO AQUARIUM

Place the coral in a lower to middle area with moderate to strong indirect flow. Discard the shipping and dip water. Do not pour shipping water or dip water into your aquarium.

7. LIGHT ACCLIMATE

Allow the coral to adjust gradually over several days to weeks before moving it into brighter light. Watch for polyp extension, shedding, coloration, and tissue health before making major placement changes.