Leather Coral
Sarcophyton furcatum
A forgiving leather coral that rewards beginners with dramatic, flowing polyp displays.
About
Found across reef systems of the Western North Pacific, Sarcophyton furcatum is a soft coral belonging to the leather coral group, known for forming broad, mushroom-shaped colonies with a distinctly lobed or forked cap. The feature that gives this species its name. The colony surface is covered in two types of polyps: larger feeding polyps that extend outward in soft, tree-like fingers, and smaller polyps tucked between them. When fully open, the whole colony takes on a lush, textured appearance that changes noticeably depending on flow and light conditions. Like other leather corals in this family, it will periodically close up and shed a waxy film from its surface. This is completely normal behavior and not a sign of stress. After a few days it opens back up, often looking better than before. The care requirements are genuinely accessible, making this a solid entry point into keeping soft corals. It does well under moderate lighting and moderate, indirect water movement. One thing worth knowing is that leather corals can release compounds that irritate nearby stony corals, so give it some space from LPS or SPS neighbors. A rewarding and relatively low-maintenance addition to a mixed reef.
Similar species
Other coral you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Leather Coral
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
