Leather Coral

About

Found across the East Indian Ocean, Lobophytum tecticum is a soft coral belonging to the leather coral group, a family known for being considerably more forgiving than their stony counterparts. Like other lobophytums, it forms fleshy, lobed colonies that tend to spread outward in a somewhat flattened, encrusting manner, with a texture that shifts depending on whether the polyps are extended or retracted. When polyps are out, the surface takes on a fuzzy, almost velvety look; when they retract, the colony can appear smooth and somewhat dull, which is completely normal behavior and not a sign of trouble. These corals do occasionally go through shedding cycles, where a waxy film sloughs off the surface. This is a natural self-cleaning process, and good flow in the tank helps carry away the shed material. Speaking of flow, moderate, indirect current suits this coral well, along with moderate lighting. It doesn't demand intense light the way many SPS corals do, which is part of why it works well for hobbyists still dialing in their reef setup. It doesn't sting neighboring corals aggressively, making placement relatively straightforward, though as with any soft coral, giving it some buffer room is a sensible precaution.