Yellow Leather

Sarcophyton elegans

Care Level	Easy — great beginner coral
Lighting	Low to high
Water Flow	Moderate
Placement	Low to mid rock
Aggression	Peaceful (mild chemical warfare)
Coloration	Bright yellow cap and polyps

Overview

The Yellow Leather (Sarcophyton elegans, the “Yellow Fiji” or “Golden Toadstool”) is a toadstool-shaped leather coral prized for its unusual bright-yellow coloration — a sunny standout among the usual tan and green leathers. Like other Sarcophyton toadstools it is hardy, adaptable, and an excellent beginner coral.

Care & Placement

Adaptable to low or high light and moderate flow. Place low-to-mid on rock with room to grow, as it can reach a good size. It periodically sheds a waxy film and stays retracted for a day or two — normal, not a problem. Bright light helps keep the yellow color rich.

Feeding

Mostly photosynthetic; feeding optional. Occasional broadcast feeding of coral foods can boost growth, but light does most of the work.

Propagation

Frag by cutting a piece from the edge of the cap and attaching it to a plug (rubber-band or pin it until it grips). The parent heals over quickly.

Full step-by-step: How to Frag Leather Corals

Cautions

Like all leathers it releases mild chemicals (terpenes) that can irritate stony corals — run carbon and allow flow/space. The periodic shedding/retraction phase is normal.