Leather Coral

About

Found across the reefs of the Western North Pacific, Lobophytum anomolum is a soft coral belonging to the leather coral group, closely related to the familiar lobes and fingers that have been a staple of reef aquariums for decades. Like other lobophytums, it produces a waxy, leathery surface texture that can range from cream and tan to brownish-green depending on the zooxanthellae it hosts and the lighting it receives. The colony typically grows in lobed or flattened formations with small polyps that extend to feed and retract when disturbed, sometimes leaving the colony looking deflated and dull for a day or two before rebounding. That periodic deflation is normal behavior and not a cause for alarm. New keepers sometimes panic unnecessarily during these natural resting phases. In the aquarium, this species has a well-deserved reputation as one of the more forgiving soft corals available. It asks for moderate water movement to keep detritus from settling on its surface and moderate light to fuel its symbiotic algae, but it does not demand the precision that many stony corals require. Regular water changes and stable conditions go a long way. It should be given adequate space since leather corals can release compounds that irritate neighboring corals.