Sinuous Cup Coral

About

Sinuous Cup Coral (Lobophyllia radians) is a large-polyp stony coral with a broad natural footprint, found across the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea all the way out to Melanesia, ranging from Japanese waters in the north down to Australia in the south. In the wild it occupies reef environments from very shallow water down to around 40 meters, which hints at its adaptability to varying light conditions. The genus Lobophyllia is known for thick, fleshy polyps with distinctly sinuous, winding ridges along the skeleton surface. Giving this coral a sculptural, almost brain-like texture when viewed up close. Colors tend toward earthy greens, browns, and occasionally reds or oranges, often with contrasting oral disc coloration that becomes more visible when the polyps are fully extended. In the aquarium, this is one of the more forgiving large-polyp stony corals you can keep. It does well under moderate lighting and prefers gentler water movement rather than strong, direct flow. It appreciates being placed on the sand bed or on lower rockwork where turbulence is calmer. Neighbors should be chosen carefully, as Lobophyllia corals can extend sweeper tentacles and defend their territory. Overall it is a solid choice for someone stepping into LPS corals for the first time.