About Lobophyllia Coral
Lobophyllia is a diverse genus of large polyp stony corals found throughout the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean, with the vast majority of specimens in the aquarium trade originating from the Great Barrier Reef region of Australia. These corals naturally inhabit upper reef slopes and front reef areas, growing in both horizontal and vertical orientations where they receive moderate lighting conditions and water movement.
These remarkable corals are instantly recognizable by their distinctive brain-like appearance, featuring high, rounded ridges and deep valleys that create intricate, sculptured formations. The fleshy polyps completely hide the underlying calcium carbonate skeleton, giving the coral a soft, organic appearance that belies its stony nature. Individual polyps can be quite large, and the coral's surface texture varies dramatically between species and specimens, ranging from completely smooth surfaces to those covered with small bumps, warts, or carpet-like textures.
Lobophyllia exhibits extraordinary diversity in coloration, with specimens available in virtually every color imaginable. Common colorations include vibrant greens, intense blues, burning oranges, deep reds, rich purples, subtle tans, classic browns, and sophisticated grays. Many specimens display multiple colors in striking combinations, creating some of the most visually impressive corals available in the reef keeping hobby.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Lobophyllia behavior is their "sneaky" aggression. Unlike corals that extend obvious sweeper tentacles, Lobophyllia are capable of launching mesenteric filament attacks at night. These digestive filaments extend from the coral to attack and digest neighboring corals, then completely retract by morning, leaving no evidence of the aggressive behavior except for the damaged coral nearby. This hidden aggression makes proper spacing critical for long-term success.
The success rate with Lobophyllia often depends significantly on the time the coral has spent in captivity. Recently imported specimens still experiencing shipping stress typically show lower survival rates, while corals that have been established in captivity for extended periods generally prove much hardier and more adaptable to aquarium conditions.
Caring for Lobophyllia Coral
To ensure the best results for your Lobophyllia coral, please follow our suggestions on coral care below. It's important to test your tank's water often to ensure the parameters are within the correct range.
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
- Salinity: 1.023–1.025
- pH: 8.1–8.4
- Alkalinity: 8–10 dKH
- Calcium: 400–450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
- Strontium: Adequate levels required
- Nitrate: 5–10 ppm (low levels actually beneficial)
- Phosphate: <0.03 ppm
Lighting for Lobophyllia Coral
Moderate lighting (150–200 PAR recommended). You should place the coral in lower to middle areas of the tank. Lobophyllia corals thrive under moderate lighting conditions and can suffer under excessive illumination.
These corals naturally occur in areas that receive filtered light, making them well-suited for the middle to lower regions of reef aquariums. Both high-quality LED fixtures and robust spectrum T5 systems work well, though some experimentation may be required to achieve the optimal balance between health and aesthetic coloration for individual specimens.
Proper Water Flow
Low to moderate indirect water movement that provides enough circulation to carry waste away from the coral's mouth without causing the polyps to stay retracted. Excessive flow, particularly direct current, can cause tissue damage and recession where the flow impacts the coral most heavily. The ideal flow should gently move food particles past the coral while keeping the surface clean of detritus.
Placement, Temperament, & Notes on Fish
Lower to middle tank placement is ideal, often on the substrate or secure rockwork. Careful placement is critical due to their hidden aggressive nature—maintain 4–5 inches of space from other corals to prevent mesenteric filament attacks. When placing on rockwork, ensure nothing can fall on the coral and that the coral cannot fall onto other specimens.
Lobophyllia corals have surprisingly delicate tissues that can be damaged by contact with rocks or substrate, so secure mounting and careful aquascaping are essential. Their relatively slow growth rate means that initial placement decisions are important for long-term success.
Most reef-safe fish species are compatible with Lobophyllia, though aggressive hermit crabs, shrimp, or dwarf angelfish can interfere with feeding. Interestingly, angelfish typically do not bother Lobophyllia corals, making them suitable tankmates despite their reputation for nipping other coral species.
Feeding the Lobophyllia Coral
Lobophyllia are particularly hungry corals that require regular feeding 2–3 times per week for optimal health and growth. These corals demonstrate strong feeding responses and readily accept a variety of foods. Suitable options include mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely minced seafood, oyster eggs, and specialized coral foods.
Target feeding works best—use a turkey baster or syringe to gently direct food toward the coral's mouth, taking care not to blast food directly into the polyps. Turn off water flow for 10–15 minutes during feeding sessions to allow proper food capture. The coral's feeding response is typically quite obvious, with polyps extending and grasping at food particles.
Some aquarists find success with the technique of temporarily removing the coral to a separate container of tank water for uninterrupted feeding, though this should be done sparingly to minimize handling stress.
With proper care and patience, Lobophyllia corals develop into magnificent colonies that can serve as the crown jewels of reef aquarium displays, rewarding dedicated hobbyists with years of beauty and growth.
Explore Our Lobophyllia Coral
At Sanctuary Aquatics, we have dozens of Lobophyllia coral varieties to choose from. These magnificent brain corals represent some of the most striking and colorful specimens available in the reef keeping hobby, offering an incredible range of textures, patterns, and color combinations that serve as stunning focal points in any reef display. Some of our customers’ favorites include the Lemon Lime, Sunny Delight, Fiery Crater, Summer Sand, and more.
Get Started with Lobophyllia Coral Today!
At Sanctuary Aquatics, we develop our Lobophyllia coral knowledge from marine science research and years of hands-on reef keeping experience. At our location, we've built specialized tank systems that provide the moderate lighting and gentle flow conditions these corals prefer, with particular emphasis on specimens sourced from Australia, which consistently demonstrate superior hardiness and coloration compared to other geographic origins.
We are dedicated to helping you succeed with your Lobophyllia coral care, so contact us and we can provide the help and resources you need to create a successful coral tank! Our systems prioritize well-established specimens that have spent adequate time in captivity, ensuring the best possible success rates for these moderately challenging but incredibly rewarding corals.
Contact our team online or call us at 920-385-4802 today to see our Lobophyllia coral selection and get personal advice for your saltwater aquarium needs. As always, be sure to check out our full saltwater coral collection here to see all the species we have available.
