Lobed brain coral (Lobophyllia vitiensis) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Lobo, Lobed brain coral, Open brain coral
Family
Lobophylliidae
Origin
Indo-West Pacific, including Fiji (vitiensis means 'of Fiji')
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Care level
beginner
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Moderate to high
Flow
Medium

Care

Lobophyllia vitiensis is a large-polyp stony (LPS) coral in the lobed brain group: fleshy, rounded heads or meandering valleys that hide the skeleton. The tissue is often a mix of red, green, orange, grey or brown, sometimes in striking contrasting patterns. It is not sold by name at LiveAquaria; the care below draws on its Lobophyllia brain coral listing (L. hemprichii), a close relative in the same genus. Placement: anywhere in the tank, though the sand bed or low rock is usual. Moderate to fairly high light and medium flow suit it. Water: alkalinity dKH 8–12, pH 8.1–8.4, with calcium, strontium and trace elements kept up. Growth is slow to moderate. Selling: this is a CITES Appendix II coral. Frags grown in the UK can be sold freely; wild-collected or imported pieces must have been legally imported with CITES paperwork. Some Lobophyllia are offered aquacultured. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/brain-coral-lobophyllia). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic, but it takes meaty foods such as mysis, brine shrimp or micro-plankton well; feed in the evening when the feeding tentacles are out.

Breeding

Colonies with several heads or lobes can be split by cutting through the skeleton between them with a saw or bone cutters. Cut through the bare skeleton, not the tissue, and glue the pieces to a base with epoxy or gel superglue.

Compatibility and tank mates

Semi-aggressive: sweeper tentacles come out at night and can sting corals that are too close, so allow 10 cm or more. Angelfish and butterflyfish may nip it.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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