Leather mushroom coral (Sarcophyton trocheliophorum)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Sarcophyton trocheliophorum
- Common name
- Leather mushroom coral
- Category
- Corals
- Family
- Sarcophytidae
- Genus
- Sarcophyton
- Size
- 30–120 cm
- Depth
- 2–20 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- sessile, colonial
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Sarcophyton trocheliophorum forms 1.2 m colonies in mushroom shape: thick central stipe supporting a rounded lobed yellow-beige to green-brown cap, forming iconic Sarcophyton. Fine white polyps that extend on cap and retract at touch or night. Octocorallia. Lives from 2 to 20 m on calm coral reefs of entire Indo-Pacific. Listed LC. Very common, characteristic of Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Recognizable photo subject, cauliflower-shaped growth when young.
Photo of Leather mushroom coral
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Leather mushroom coral?
- Leather mushroom coral (Sarcophyton trocheliophorum) reaches 30–120 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Leather mushroom coral?
- Leather mushroom coral is found between 2–20 m deep.
- Is the Leather mushroom coral dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Leather mushroom coral?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Leather mushroom coral?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Sarcophyton
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 209618)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5185182)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia