Lobo brain coral (Lobophyllia hemprichii) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Lobophyllia, Lobed brain coral, Carpet brain coral, Open brain coral
Family
Lobophylliidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific and Red Sea reefs
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
Moderate

Care

Lobophyllia hemprichii is a large-polyp stony (LPS) coral whose fleshy polyps cover a heavy skeleton of separate or fused valleys. The tissue may be smooth or pimply, and colours include red, green, orange, grey, tan, brown and multicoloured forms. Placement: on the lower rockwork or the sand bed, with plenty of space. Light and flow: moderate to strong light and moderate flow. Water and supplements: stable calcium, alkalinity and magnesium, with strontium and trace elements. Growth: slow to moderate. Aquacultured pieces are available. Naming: LiveAquaria lists it in Mussidae, its older family; it is now placed in Lobophylliidae. 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. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/brain-coral-lobophyllia). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic: zooxanthellae supply most of its food. It benefits from micro-plankton, brine shrimp or other small meaty foods fed in the evening, when its feeding tentacles are out.

Breeding

Colonies made of separate heads can be split by cutting between the heads, through the skeleton only, with a saw or bone cutters. Glue the frags to rock or plugs and keep them in moderate light and gentle flow while they heal.

Compatibility and tank mates

Semi-aggressive: it puts out sweeper tentacles at night that sting nearby corals, so give it plenty of space. Some angelfish and butterflyfish pick at fleshy LPS.

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

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