Mushroom Coral

About

Mushroom Coral (Lithophyllon scabra) is a stony coral found across the Indo-West Pacific, ranging from the eastern coast of Africa all the way out to the central Pacific islands. In the wild it tends to settle into quieter reef zones at moderate depths, typically somewhere between 15 and 25 meters, where light is filtered and water movement is gentle rather than turbulent. That natural preference translates well to the home reef tank. It does not demand the intense lighting that many SPS corals require, and it seems genuinely comfortable under moderate output fixtures that might stress more demanding species. Flow should be kept low to moderate; blasting this coral with a powerhead pointed directly at it is a quick way to cause trouble. The textured surface that gives the species its name, scabra referring to that rough, uneven appearance, helps distinguish it from smoother plating corals at a glance. For hobbyists wanting to try a stony coral without diving into the deep end of SPS keeping, this species represents a reasonable starting point. It is reef safe and plays well with typical community reef inhabitants, though like any coral it deserves consistent water quality and stability rather than dramatic swings.