Why and How Corals Shed

Some Leather or Family Alcyoniidae corals periodically slough-off a thin top layer of tissue. When we observed the first signs of a Toadstool Mushroom Leather Coral preparing to shed, it was not only fascinating to watch the coral go through this process, but we documented each phase of the transition from start to finish with pictures.

Here you can view the photos, and learn why and how Sarcophyton, Lobophytum and Sinularia species leather corals regularly shed what could be described as "old skin".

Join Discussion: Toadstool Coral Help - I have had a toadstool coral in my 100 gallon tank for over a year now and it has probably tripled in size in a year. It has always done every well in my tank until about a week ago when it started to go limp and not open when the lights came on. Now it is always limp and never opens at all. Is the coral dieing? What can I do to get this great looking coral back to the way it was? Any help is appreciated. -- Scott

Photo © Debbie and Stan Hauter