Soft leather corals such as this Lobophytum make excellent additions for the beginner and advanced reef keeper.  They are fast growing and are generally hardy and can easily become a showpiece for your reef tank. 

   Lobophytum (Lobed Leather Coral) come from the Indo-Pacific which include islands such as Fiji and Tonga.  They prefer medium to high lighting but can be kept successfully under pc’s.  They prefer a moderate water flow.  Direct feeding is not necessary because they have zooxanthellae but the Lobophytum’s polyps may feed on phytoplankton.

   Lobophytum may shrink and retract its polpys, during which it may also form a waxy or slimy film.  This may last for a couple of weeks.  It is believe it does this to prevent nuisance algae from growing on it.  Having adequete water movement will quicken this process.

   Since Lobophytum is a soft leather coral it is important to place the coral where it will not come in contact with other corals.  The Lobophytum genus is known to release toxins that could damage and possibly kill near by corals.  Sps corals are especially sensitive to these toxins. I have never had this happen but I still take precautions to prevent this. 

  Since these corals are easy to care for and grow very well in our saltwater aquariums, they make excellent candidates for aquaculture.   I have witnessed my Lobophytum “Pinch” or “Bud” part of itself, I usually retrieve and mount this frag after it falls off its mother colony.