Sinuous Cup Coral

About

The sinuous cup coral (Lobophyllia valenciennesii) is a large polyp stony coral found across a vast stretch of the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa and the Red Sea all the way out to Melanesia, and from Japan down to Australia. In the wild it occupies reef environments from the shallows down to around 40 meters, which speaks to its adaptability. The name gives you a reasonable picture of what to expect: the corallite structure traces long, winding valleys and ridges that give it a brain-like or convoluted appearance, and the fleshy polyp tissue tends to be thick and almost pillowy when extended. Colors vary. Earthy greens, reds, browns, and occasionally brighter hues are all possible depending on the specimen and its zooxanthellae. In the aquarium this coral has a well-earned reputation as a forgiving choice for newer reef keepers. It appreciates moderate lighting and genuinely prefers lower flow conditions. Too much direct current can stress the tissue and prevent the polyps from opening fully. Give it a stable spot on the sandbed or a lower rock ledge where flow is gentle, and it tends to reward you with consistently open, puffy polyps. It is reef safe and generally not aggressive toward corals that aren't placed immediately adjacent to it.