Knob Coral

About

Knob Coral (Dipsastraea lizardensis) is a reef-building stony coral found across a wide sweep of the Indo-West Pacific, ranging from the East African coast all the way out to the central Pacific and spanning tropical latitudes both north and south of the equator. In the wild it grows on reef structures from the shallows right down to around 40 meters, which hints at its adaptability to varying light conditions. The colony surface is defined by the rounded, raised corallites that give this species its common name. Each one a distinct knob-like bump that creates a textured, almost sculpted appearance across the entire head. Coloration tends toward earthy greens, browns, and tans, which fits the practical palette of a coral built for endurance rather than flash. In the aquarium, Dipsastraea lizardensis is considered an intermediate-level coral. Not the most demanding large-polyp stony coral you could choose, but not a beginner's first SPS either. Moderate light and moderate water movement suit it well, and like all hermatypic corals it depends on its zooxanthellae for much of its nutrition. It is fully reef safe and poses no threat to neighboring corals beyond the space it occupies as it slowly grows.