Lobophytum Hand Leather Coral

Lobophytum's broad, flattened lobes give this one a genuinely hand-like silhouette once it's grown in, distinct from the narrower fingers of Sinularia or the single stalked cap of Sarcophyton. It's one of the toughest leather corals in the trade, tolerating the kind of parameter swings and lighting mistakes that would stress out most other soft corals, which is exactly why it shows up so often as a first coral recommendation. Periodic tissue shedding is normal here too, a dull, waxy day or two, then it's back to full polyp extension.

Care level: Easy · Light/Flow/Placement: Moderate light, moderate flow, bottom-to-mid tank · Max size: 8"+ across, moderate growth · Diet: Photosynthetic, no target feeding required