Lobed Cactus Coral

About

The lobed cactus coral (Lobophyllia robusta) is a large-polyp stony coral found across a wide sweep of the Indo-West Pacific, from the coast of Mozambique all the way out to Papua New Guinea, with its range extending north to Japan and south to Australia. In the wild it turns up across most reef environments at depths down to around 30 meters, which hints at its adaptability. Colonies are typically made up of a small number of large, individual corallites arranged in a phaceloid, finger-like structure, though mature colonies can grow into sizeable hemispherical mounds. Each corallite is generally monocentric, carrying a single mouth, and the septa are lined with tall, sharply pointed teeth that give the coral a coarse, almost rough texture when you look closely. The polyps themselves are thick and fleshy, which gives this coral that characteristic chunky appearance LPS enthusiasts tend to appreciate. Coloration leans toward blue-grey tones, sometimes with paler areas along the valley floors, and all corallites within a single colony share the same color uniformly. In a reef aquarium, it prefers moderate lighting and low water flow, and its overall hardiness makes it a reasonable starting point for hobbyists new to keeping large-polyp stony corals.