Lobophytum
Genus
A hardy soft coral shaped like an open hand with finger-like lobes. Robust and fast-growing; a beginner leather.
Names & Synonyms
- CommonLobophytum
- Commonロボフィタム
- CommonDevil's Hand Coral
- Commonデビルズハンドコーラル
Overview
Lobophytum is a leather coral related to Sarcophyton, with a distinctive open-hand-with-fingers form. It is hardy with wide tolerance of light and flow, suiting beginners. It periodically sheds a waxy surface layer to clean itself, so temporary polyp retraction is normal. Because it releases terpenoid chemicals, running activated carbon and giving neighbors space is prudent.
Care Specifications
| Type | Soft coral |
|---|
Related corals of the same type
Antheliaアンセリア（ウェービングハンド）softBeginnerA soft coral whose feathery polyps sway in flow. Similar to Xenia but with larger, always-open polyps; very hardy.
Leather CoralウミキノコsoftBeginnerSoft coral with large mushroom-shaped cap. Hardy and fast-growing. Periodically sheds mucus to remove old tissue.
Sinularia (Finger Leather Coral)ウミキノコモドキsoftBeginnerFinger-shaped branching soft coral. Related to leather corals and equally hardy. Cream, green, brown color varieties. Similar to Toadstool but with branching form.
Toadstool CoralカタトサカsoftBeginnerBranching soft coral that is hardy with diverse color variations. Easy to frag and propagate.
Pulsing Xeniaキサンゴ（パルスコーラル）softBeginnerUnique soft coral with pulsing polyps that rhythmically open and close. Mesmerizing movement. Hardy and proliferates quickly.
Green Star PolypグリーンスターポリプsoftBeginnerA hardy soft coral with green star-shaped polyps on a mat. Beautiful fluorescent green.Related care articles
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