Sinuous Cup Coral

About

Sinuous Cup Coral (Lobophyllia erythraea) is a large-polyp stony coral native to a relatively compact stretch of the Western Indian Ocean, ranging from the Red Sea down through the Gulf of Aden. In the wild it turns up across reef environments from shallow water down to around 30 meters, suggesting a fair degree of adaptability to varying light conditions. The colony structure is defined by long, winding ridges and valleys, the sinuous patterning that gives this coral its common name, and coloration can vary from earthy browns and greens to more vivid reds and oranges depending on the individual and the lighting it's kept under. In the aquarium, it falls into the broader Lobophyllia group, which has a well-earned reputation for being tolerant and relatively undemanding. It does best under moderate lighting rather than the intense output that some SPS corals demand, and it appreciates low, gentle flow rather than anything turbulent that would constantly disturb its extended polyps. Because of that combination of modest lighting and flow requirements and a generally forgiving nature, it's a reasonable choice for hobbyists who are newer to keeping large-polyp stony corals. Give it space from neighbors, as it can extend sweeper tentacles at night.