Devil's Hand Leather Coral Care Guide
Lobophytum crassum is a hardy Indo-Pacific leather coral whose finger-like lobes resemble a hand. It is photosynthetic and well suited to beginner reef tanks.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Lobophytum crassum is a soft leather coral of the family Alcyoniidae from the tropical Indo-Pacific. The genus is known as devil's hand or devil's hand leather coral because finger-like lobes rise from the central capitulum, a feature that distinguishes Lobophytum from the related Sarcophyton. Colonies are formed of tiny polyps set in a shared leathery tissue, and the coral is hardy enough for beginners through to expert aquarists.
Taxonomy
- Class: Octocorallia
- Family: Alcyoniidae
- Genus: Lobophytum
- Scientific name: Lobophytum crassum
- Authority: von Marenzeller, 1886 (WoRMS, order Malacalcyonacea)
Habitat
Lobophytum species occur in shallow water across a wide area of the tropical Indo-Pacific, on reef crests, lagoons and slopes. Like other Alcyoniidae they host symbiotic zooxanthellae and contribute to reef communities that, on the Great Barrier Reef, have shown very stable populations with low growth, predation and mortality.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24–26 °C (75–79 °F)
- pH: 8.1–8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024–1.026
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8–11
- Calcium: 380–450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280–1350 ppm
- Nitrate: below ~15 ppm; phosphate below ~0.1 ppm
- Lighting: medium, about 75–200 PAR
- Flow: medium
- Minimum tank age: about 3 months
Mount the colony on rock in the middle of the tank under moderate light and flow. The coral periodically closes and develops a surface film that it sheds after a few days to clear algae, which is normal behaviour and not a sign of illness.
Diet
Lobophytum crassum is photosynthetic and draws most of its energy from its zooxanthellae; it is a poor active feeder but extracts nutrients from the water column. Occasional dosing of amino acids or microplankton can support growth but is not strictly required.
Compatibility
It is reef, fish and shrimp safe and broadly peaceful, but leather corals release allelopathic chemicals and can shade or chemically suppress neighbours, so generous spacing from other corals is recommended.
Lobophytum crassum Propagation Guide
Overview
Lobophytum crassum is a leather coral in the family Alcyoniidae (class Octocorallia), one of the devil's hand corals named for the finger-like lobes that rise from a fleshy base. Members of the genus occur in shallow water across the tropical Indo-Pacific. Like other leather corals it hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae and draws most of its nutrition from photosynthesis, which makes captive propagation straightforward.
Reproductive Mode
Practical reef propagation relies on asexual methods. Leather corals can be cut into pieces that each regenerate into a full colony, and they also self-propagate: a colony may drop bits of its own tissue or sprout bud-like projections that detach and grow elsewhere, and a moving specimen can leave a trail of small attached pieces behind it. Each route produces a clone of the parent.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
To frag, cut around the base with coral cutters or a clean blade, ideally taking a small piece of the rock with the cutting so there is a solid surface to bond. Leather corals slime heavily once cut, so the mucus is best kept out of the main system and basted away. Dry the cut surface and the plug before gluing, or secure the frag with a rubber band tight enough to hold but loose enough not to cut the tissue. Monofilament fishing line threaded through the base and tied to the substrate is a reliable alternative when glue will not hold.
- Cut around the base, including a sliver of rock if possible.
- Baste off the slime and keep mucus out of the display.
- Dry the cut base and plug, then glue, band, or tie the frag.
- Return the frag to a low-flow spot until it cures and attaches.
Conditions for Propagation
Place new frags in low flow so adhesive can cure and tissue can seal; once attached, flow and light can be raised toward the colony's normal preference. A few days in a calm spot lets the cut close and the polyps reopen before the piece is moved to its final location.
Common Challenges
The heavy mucus released during cutting can foul water in a small system, so increased filtration or a water change after fragging helps. Freshly cut leather corals often stay closed for several days while they heal, which is normal and not a sign of failure.