Corymbose Lobo care guide
Corymbose Lobo (Lobophyllia corymbosa) — reef coral, 24-26 °C, PAR 75-175, salinity 1.024-1.026.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Lobophyllia corymbosa is a Lobophyllia variant with compact, closely set lobes. The colony forms a massive, slowly growing structure with strong fluorescence under blue actinic lighting.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lobophylliidae
- Genus: Lobophyllia
- Scientific name: Lobophyllia corymbosa
- Common synonyms: Corymbose Brain
Habitat
Native to the Indo-Pacific. Found on reef slopes and lagoonal habitats at moderate depth, typically in environments with gentle water movement.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- Salinity (SG): 1.024-1.026
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Alkalinity (dKH): 8-11
- Calcium: 400-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Phosphate (max): 0.03 ppm
- Nitrate (max): 5 ppm
Placement and lighting
- Lighting (PAR): 75-175 PAR
- Flow: low
- Recommended tank age: 3 months
- Growth rate: 0.1-0.3 cm/mo
Mount on rockwork in the middle of the aquarium with moderate light and low flow. Allow several centimetres of buffer from neighbouring corals because feeding tentacles can extend at night.
Feeding
Photosynthetic with regular benefit from spot-feeding with mysis or reef-roids one to two times per week. Feeding accelerates lobe development and colour intensity.
Compatibility
Moderately aggressive — develops sweeper tentacles at night. Suitable for mixed reef tanks with adequate spacing between heads. Reef-safe with shrimp and fish.
Care notes
Stable parameters and gentle flow are key. Avoid blasting the colony with strong directional flow, which prevents full polyp inflation.
Lobophyllia corymbosa Propagation Guide
Overview
Lobophyllia corymbosa is a large polyp stony coral in the family Lobophylliidae, a compact-lobed member of the lobed brain coral genus. Reef Builders describes Lobophyllia as forming distinct lobes on separate stalks at the base, with larger lobes carrying multiple polyp mouths. It is a colonial Indo-Pacific reef coral whose lobes share a common skeletal foundation.
Reproductive Mode
Lobophyllia corymbosa is colonial rather than solitary, growing by multiplying lobes and corallites on a shared skeleton. This modular growth allows a colony to be cut into smaller units that each retain living tissue and skeleton, so it can be propagated asexually by fragging in captivity as well as sexually by spawning in the wild.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Reef Builders notes that most LPS corals require a band saw for fragging. With this brain coral the cut follows the lobe boundaries, taking off single lobes or small clusters so each frag keeps flesh over solid skeleton. Working in a coolant of home-tank water tinted light amber with iodine disinfects the cut, and the frag is then dried and glued to a plug with a flat base for stability.
Conditions for Propagation
Reef Builders reports that after fragging the mucus should be gently basted off; polyps extend within hours and cut edges expand within days. Steady chemistry, modest flow and clean water aid healing. Because these corals release heavy mucus, give it room to dissipate so it does not irritate neighbours while the frags settle.
Sexual Reproduction
As a zooxanthellate stony coral in the Lobophylliidae, Lobophyllia corymbosa reproduces sexually by releasing gametes into the water, where fertilisation forms planula larvae that disperse and settle to found new colonies. This broadcast pathway, distinct from fragmentation, is how the species renews wild populations.
Common Challenges
The genus is moderately aggressive and produces abundant mucus, so freshly cut frags need spacing from other corals during recovery. If the saw enters living tissue the fleshy lobe can tear, and a frag cut too thin risks the polyp; leave generous skeleton beneath the flesh. Poor water quality slows knitting of the wound and encourages tissue recession at the edges.