Coral Care Info Lobophyllia

Lobophyllia corals, commonly known as Lobos, are large polyp stony corals prized for their thick, fleshy tissue, deep ridges, and vibrant coloration. They are often used as centerpiece corals due to their bold appearance and ability to expand significantly under proper conditions. Lobophyllia are relatively hardy for an LPS coral but still require stable parameters, moderate lighting, and careful placement to thrive long term.

Care Requirements

Lighting (PAR Range)

• Lobophyllia corals typically do best in 50-120 PAR.
• Moderate to lower lighting helps maintain rich coloration and prevents stress.
• Too much light can cause bleaching or tissue recession.
• Always acclimate new specimens slowly, especially pieces from new arrival corals.

Flow

• Low to moderate, indirect flow is ideal.
• Flow should gently move water across the coral without direct impact.
• Strong flow can damage fleshy tissue and cause retraction.
• Low flow allows full expansion and inflation.

Placement

• Best placed on the sand bed or lower rockwork.
• Avoid sharp surfaces that can damage the underside.
• Allow space around the coral for expansion and feeding.
• Placement is important in tanks with small polyp stonies corals, which can be affected by contact.

Aggression

• Moderately aggressive coral.
• Can extend feeder and sweeper tentacles at night.
• May sting nearby corals if placed too close.
• Spacing is important in mixed reef setups.

Growth Rate

• Slow to moderate growth rate.
• Growth is seen through tissue expansion and skeletal thickening.
• Healthy specimens can gradually increase in size over time.
• Stable water chemistry supports consistent growth.

Feeding

Lobophyllia corals respond very well to feeding and can show improved expansion, coloration, and growth when fed regularly. While they are photosynthetic, they actively capture food and benefit from supplemental feeding. Newly added specimens from newest corals should be allowed time to acclimate before consistent feeding begins.

• Feed meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, or chopped seafood.
• Target feeding once or twice per week is usually sufficient.
• Ensure food is captured fully to avoid waste and maintain water quality.

Tank Compatibility

Lobophyllia are well suited for mixed reef aquariums when given adequate space. Their fleshy tissue makes them vulnerable to damage from aggressive neighbors. In tanks that include soft corals or spreading colonies like zoanthids, careful placement helps prevent contact and irritation.

• Keep on sand or stable rock away from aggressive corals.
• Avoid placing near fast-growing or invasive species.
• Ensure stable placement to prevent shifting or damage.

Common Problems

• Tissue damage from placement on sharp rock surfaces.
• Bleaching caused by excessive lighting.
• Failure to expand due to strong flow or stress.
• Injury from nearby corals or unstable placement.

Tips for Success

• Provide moderate lighting and gentle flow for best results.
• Feed regularly to support growth and coloration.
• Maintain stable water parameters.
• Place on sand or smooth surfaces to protect tissue.
• Allow enough space to prevent aggression-related damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lobophyllia a beginner coral?
Lobophyllia can be a good choice for reef keepers with stable tanks. They are relatively hardy but still require proper placement and care.

Does Lobophyllia need to be fed?
While they can survive on light, feeding improves growth, expansion, and coloration.

Can Lobophyllia be placed on rock?
They can be placed on smooth rock, but sand placement is often safer to avoid damaging their underside.

Is Lobophyllia aggressive?
Yes, they can extend tentacles and sting nearby corals, so proper spacing is important.

Lobophyllia corals are an excellent addition to reef aquariums for hobbyists looking for bold color and a strong centerpiece coral. With proper care, they can thrive and develop into impressive specimens over time. You can explore similar species in our large polyp stonies corals collection, browse larger pieces in our new arrival coral colonies, discover standout pieces in our featured corals, learn about our systems on our facility page, and stay updated through the Extreme Corals news and updates blog.