Featured Coral of the Week: Lobophyllia

This week we want to highlight the Lobophyllia, affectionately known in the hobby world as wolves. These lobed brain corals are found in the Pacific Ocean, and due to the ban on corals in Indonesia, they can currently only be sourced and imported from Australia. It has been observed that Lobophyllia corals from Australia are notably more resistant than those from Indonesia.

Like most corals, lobophyly requires stable water parameters to ensure its success. It is essential to maintain alkalinity, calcium and magnesium without fluctuations to ensure the happiness and health of the coral. These corals like to have a small amount of nutrients in the tank, with less than 10 ppm of nitrates and phosphates being acceptable in the aquarium. Although wolves are capable of catching food floating in the tank, they especially enjoy being fed LPS coral pellets, reef rodents, mysis, or krill.

In terms of lighting, wolves do not require a lot of light (around 100 par) and tend to enjoy a bluer spectrum of light if LEDs are used. If using T5 or metal halides, it is advisable to provide them with indirect light. Additionally, they require low to moderate water flow to prevent sand or other debris from accumulating in their lobes, which can cause health problems for the coral if not managed properly.

Due to their light and water flow requirements, wolves are excellent candidates for inhabiting the aquarium substrate. However, it is important to give them enough space for their polyps to expand and prevent them from rubbing against abrasive materials, which could cause damage to the coral tissue. In case of accumulation of waste in the coral pulp, it is recommended to use a syringe or pipette to remove it.

Whether it's their wide variety of colors or size, Lobophyllia corals are an incredible choice for hobbyists as they are easy to care for and will grow alongside you on your reef adventure. We hope that this information is useful for those interested in having a wolf or for those who already enjoy their presence in the aquarium. Thank you for reading!