Lobo

WYSIWYG — What You See Is What You Get The coral in the photos is the exact specimen you will receive. Our photos are taken under medium blue reef lighting to represent the coral as accurately as possible to the naked eye. Colours may appear slightly different under your specific lighting setup. If you have any questions about colouration or would like additional photos before purchasing, please contact us — we're happy to help.

Lobophyllia — commonly known as Lobo coral — is one of the most underappreciated and visually rewarding large polyp stony corals in the reef keeping hobby. With their thick, fleshy lobed tissue, bold swirling colour patterns, and impressive size when fully inflated, a quality Lobo coral makes an immediate statement in any reef tank.

Available in an extraordinary range of colours — deep reds, greens, purples, oranges, and multicoloured morphs with contrasting highlights — Lobophyllia has a presence and character that sets it apart from more common LPS corals. Each specimen is unique, with natural patterns and colouration that make every piece a one-of-a-kind addition to a reef.

Hardy, adaptable, and more forgiving than many other large polyp stony corals, Lobophyllia is an excellent choice for reef keepers looking to add a bold, characterful showpiece without the demanding care requirements of more sensitive species. It rewards consistent care with steady growth and increasingly vivid colouration over time.

Care Guide

• Care level: Moderate — suitable for reef keepers with established, stable systems. More forgiving than many LPS corals making it a great stepping stone for intermediate reef keepers
• Lighting: Low to medium — Lobophyllia prefers indirect, lower intensity light. Avoid placing directly under high intensity LED spots which can cause bleaching and tissue stress. Lower rockwork or shaded areas bring out the best colouration and allow the coral to fully inflate
• Flow: Low — gentle indirect flow is ideal. Strong direct flow will prevent the coral from inflating fully and can cause tissue damage over time. Lobophyllia needs calm, gentle water movement to express its full size and character
• Placement: Sandbed or lower rockwork where the full colony can be appreciated. Allow adequate space around the coral as the tissue expands significantly when fully inflated — often two to three times its deflated size
• Temperament: Aggressive — Lobophyllia produces sweeper tentacles at night that can sting and damage neighbouring corals. Allow a minimum of 15-20cm clearance from other corals and plan placement with night time extension in mind
• Feeding: Lobophyllia responds very well to target feeding and benefits significantly from regular feeding with meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, reef roids, or small pieces of marine flesh 2-3 times per week. Feed after lights dim when the coral is fully expanded and actively feeding. Regular feeding produces noticeably faster growth and more vivid colouration

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 24–26°C
• Salinity: 1.024–1.026
• Calcium: 380–430ppm
• Alkalinity: 8–11 dKH
• Magnesium: 1250–1350ppm
• Nitrate: 5–15ppm (tolerates slightly elevated nutrients better than SPS corals)
• Phosphate: 0.05–0.10ppm

Note: Lobophyllia is sensitive to rapid parameter changes — particularly sudden alkalinity and temperature swings. Acclimate new specimens slowly using the drip method and avoid placing near strong flow or high intensity lighting during the initial settling period. Allow 1-2 weeks for the coral to fully adjust to your tank conditions before assessing its health and colour.

Shipping All livestock is packed with care and shipped Australia-wide with heat or cold packs as required for the season. Shipping insurance is available at checkout and strongly recommended for all livestock orders.

As a live coral, natural variation in colouration and size may occur. We photograph all WYSIWYG specimens individually to ensure what you see is what you receive.