Lobophyllia corymbosa Propagation Guide
Propagating the compact-lobed brain coral Lobophyllia corymbosa: dividing the colony between its lobes with a band saw so each frag keeps tissue and skeleton, alongside its sexual spawning.
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.