Oval Mushroom Coral

About

Oval Mushroom Coral (Lobactis scutaria) is a solitary stony coral found across the Central Pacific, ranging from shallow reef flats down to about 40 meters depth. Unlike the soft, fleshy mushroom corals that beginners often encounter first, this species is a true large-polyp stony coral with a hard calcified skeleton, so don't let the common name mislead you. Its single large polyp sits atop a disc-shaped base, giving it a bold, sculptural look in the display tank. In the wild it occupies a wide range of reef environments, which hints at the adaptability it brings to captivity. It appreciates moderate lighting rather than the intense output demanded by many SPS corals, and it does best with gentle, indirect flow rather than a direct powerhead blast. Those modest requirements make it a genuinely forgiving choice for reef keepers who are still dialing in their systems. It can be placed on the sandbed or on a lower rock shelf where light is diffused. As with most corals, stable water quality matters far more than hitting exact target numbers, so consistent husbandry will serve this coral well over the long term.