Lobophyllia hataii Propagation Guide
Propagating the lobed brain coral Lobophyllia hataii: separating its lobes with a band saw so each frag keeps tissue and skeleton, with attention to its slow growth and sexual spawning.
Overview
Lobophyllia hataii is a large polyp stony coral in the family Lobophylliidae, a lobed brain coral collected from Australia. 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 reef coral whose lobes grow from a common skeletal base, and it is regarded as a slow-growing species.
Reproductive Mode
As a colonial coral, Lobophyllia hataii grows by adding lobes and corallites to a shared skeleton, in contrast to solitary single-polyp corals. The colony can therefore be divided into pieces that each carry living tissue and skeleton, so it can be propagated asexually by fragging as well as sexually by spawning, though its slow growth means recovery between fragging is gradual.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Reef Builders advises that most LPS corals need a band saw for fragging. With this lobed brain coral the cut follows the lobe boundaries, removing single lobes or small clusters so each frag retains flesh over solid skeleton. A coolant of home-aquarium water tinted light amber with iodine disinfects the wounds; each frag is then dried and glued to a flat-based plug.
Conditions for Propagation
Reef Builders reports polyps extend within hours and cut edges expand within days once mucus is gently basted off. Stable parameters, gentle flow and clean water support healing. As a slow grower it may take longer than faster LPS to re-skin the cut, so patience and consistent water quality are important during recovery.
Sexual Reproduction
As a zooxanthellate stony coral, Lobophyllia hataii reproduces sexually by releasing gametes into the water, where fertilisation forms planula larvae that settle and establish new colonies. This broadcast pathway, separate from fragmentation, is the natural means by which the species produces new individuals on the reef.
Common Challenges
The genus is moderately aggressive and produces abundant mucus, so fresh frags need spacing while they heal. If the blade enters living tissue the fleshy lobe can tear, and a frag cut too thin endangers the polyp; leave generous skeleton beneath the flesh. The slow growth rate makes recovery deliberate, and poor water quality can lead to tissue recession at the cut edges.