ORA Fuzzy Lobo Lobophytum Coral

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Devil Hand Leather; Lobed Leather Coral

Synonyms

Lobophyton sp.

Environment

Saltwater

Native to

Indo-Pacific, Indonesia, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Great Barrier Reef, Fiji

Habitat

Reef slopes and lagoons, from shallow reef flats down to about 25 meters, in areas with moderate to strong water movement

Sourcing

Both

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Coral type

Soft

Temperament

Peaceful

Growth form

Leather

Adult size

2 – 12 in (5.1 – 30 cm)

Spread

18 in (46 cm)

Growth rate

Fast

Placement

Low, Middle, High

Water

Temperature

76 – 80 °F (24 – 27 °C)

pH

8.1 – 8.4

dKH

8 – 12 dKH

Salinity

1.025 – 1.026 SG

PAR

150 – 250 PAR

Flow

Moderate

Light

Medium

Reef care

Nutrient preference

Medium

Alk/Ca uptake

Low

Target feeding

Beneficial

Give it room

6 in (15 cm)

Colors

Brown, Cream, Green

Feeding & breeding

Diet

Photosynthetic

Foods

Zooplankton, Phytoplankton, Coral food

Propagation

Fragging

Something wrong or missing? Submit a correction

Care guide

Overview

Propagated in captivity by ORA rather than collected from reef slopes, this Lobophytum colony forms dense, fuzzy-textured lobes that thicken and fold as the colony matures. It tolerates medium light and flow, sheds a waxy film periodically to stay clean, and grows quickly once established on rockwork with room to spread.

Care

This leather coral tolerates a wide swing in lighting and flow, making it forgiving for keepers who are still dialing in a new system. It periodically sheds a waxy film to clean off algae and detritus, usually appearing noticeably larger and glossier for a few days afterward. Moderate to strong flow helps this shedding process along and also delivers food particles, though flow strong enough to tear tissue should be avoided. Newly acquired frags with dull or dark coloration should be started in lower light and moved up gradually over several weeks.

Placement & acclimation

Acclimate gradually to aquarium lighting, especially deeper-collected or wild colonies with dark base coloration, by starting in dimmer light and increasing intensity over 30-60 days. Mount frags or colonies on rock work in low to high placement with open space around them, since the coral relies on expansion and periodic waxy shedding for health. Secure the base with reef-safe glue or epoxy putty until it attaches on its own.

Feeding

Most of its energy comes from the zooxanthellae living in its tissue, so daily feeding is not required for survival. Occasional dosing of phytoplankton, zooplankton, or amino acid supplements can support faster growth and fuller polyp extension. Target feeding is not necessary and this coral shows little direct feeding response compared to LPS species.

Neighbors

Leathers release terpenoid compounds into the water that can irritate some stony corals, so keeping some distance from SPS and sensitive LPS is worthwhile in mixed reef tanks. It does not carry stinging sweeper tentacles of concern, making it relatively safe to place near other soft corals and fish. Give the colony room to expand its lobes, since a mature specimen can spread considerably wider than its purchase size.

Fragging

Fragging is done by cutting healthy lobes or fingers from the parent colony with a sharp blade or scalpel and mounting the cut pieces onto plugs or rubble. Cut edges typically heal within one to two weeks in stable, well-flowed water, and new tissue will reattach to the substrate. Growth is relatively fast for a leather coral, so colonies can be fragged again within several months once recovered.

Pests & problems

Healthy specimens fully inflate and extend polyps for most of the day, only contracting briefly during shedding events or in response to poor water quality. Prolonged retraction, tissue recession, or a persistent slimy coating that does not clear after a few days can indicate stress from unstable parameters or insufficient flow. Predatory flatworms and some nudibranchs occasionally target leather corals, so new arrivals should be inspected and dipped before introduction.

Sources

1. Fuzzy Lobo | Lobophyton sp. | ORA | Oceans, Reefs & Aquariums
2. ORA Fuzzy Lobo Lobophytum Coral | AlgaeBarn
3. ORA Fuzzy Lobo Lobophytum Coral - Bulk Reef Supply
4. Devil Hand Leather care guide (Lobophytum sp) | Fast Aquatics

More Leather corals

ORA Long Polyp Leather CoralORA Neon Green Polyp Leather CoralORA Neon Green Sinularia Finger Leather CoralORA Sinularia Finger Leather CoralORA Yellow Polyp Sinularia Finger Leather Coral