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.
Hi, I’ve been searching for hours trying to find out whats happening to my Mums leather coral. You have mentioned ‘pinching and budding’, i think thats what its doing! Can you help me find some more info. about this and what to do. We are worried its just dying.
Thanks for a great site.
Hi Chris,
First thing you want to do is check your water parameters and make sure every thing is in check. Make sure you dont have any detectable ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. Second is make sure you do not have direct flow from a powerhead going straight onto the coral. That bieng said, Pinching and budding as I reffered to it is a form of reproduction for these types of coral. They often turn very white at the part where the coral is about to bud off. If you have a picture that you can send me (email address on the right side of the webpage) then maybe I can get a better feel for what is going on with your mom’s coral.
Thanks for your prompt reply! Mum is checking the water again, she mainly checks for ammonia, nitrate,pH and salinity which has been fine whilst the leather is not. There may have been slight detection of ammonia last week, but he’s been ‘un well’ for at least 4 weeks. The leather has moved along its rock to the edge and is ‘falling off’ with a twist in its base, i’ll send some photos when i get them.
Thanks again.