Toadstool Leather (Sarcophyton sp.) with Hitchhiker

[hsp]

I got a Toadstool Leather (Sarcophyton sp.), which was incorrectly labelled at the LFS as lobophytum sp. Anyhow, it came with an add-on, and I am wondering if this is a different species or if this is what a juvenile Sarcophyton looks like (I doubt that.). Thanks for ID! As you can see from the picture, my Flame Hawkfish is also wondering...

Pictures under white light (Toadstool without extended polyps):

 

[AlyciaMarie]

It looks like some closed-up Xenia to me. Have the polyps opened on it yet?

 

[hsp]

It looks like some closed-up Xenia to me. Have the polyps opened on it yet?

No polyps have never really extended. If Xenia, I should get rid of it, correct?

 

[slythy]

No polyps have never really extended. If Xenia, I should get rid of it, correct?

I mean they are actually pretty cool corals, if you are running a softy tank I would just put them on a rock you can remove or can control easy. They are definately going to be more active/cooler looking than a toadstool IMO.

 

[AlyciaMarie]

No polyps have never really extended. If Xenia, I should get rid of it, correct?

I'm pretty sure it's Xenia, but someone else will jump on if they think it's something else. Getting rid of it is a matter of preference. Some people love them; some people don't. They are pretty fast-growing, so they can take over stuff quickly if it's not isolated.

If you decide to keep it in the system, I would isolate it on its own rock, away from any other rocks. This is generally how people keep and enjoy "invasive" coral. I personally love Xenia. We had a tank just for Xenia in my childhood home.

 

[hsp]

I'm pretty sure it's Xenia, but someone else will jump on if they think it's something else. Getting rid of it is a matter of preference. Some people love them; some people don't. They are pretty fast-growing, so they can take over stuff quickly if it's not isolated.

If you decide to keep it in the system, I would isolate it on its own rock, away from any other rocks. This is generally how people keep and enjoy "invasive" coral. I personally love Xenia. We had a tank just for Xenia in my childhood home.

Thanks for this advice! I will separate it on a rock not connected to the scape. Thanks!

 

[AlyciaMarie]

Thanks for this advice! I will separate it on a rock not connected to the scape. Thanks!

Just a fair warning: they can still manage to escape the island sometimes. But like @slythy said, they are pretty cool corals. Good luck!