Green Toadstool (Lobophytum) [56]

Green Toadstool (Lobophytum)

Type: Soft Coral

Scientific Name: Lobophytum sp.

PAR: 75?200

Flow: Moderate, varied flow

Placement: Low Third to Mid Third

Description

Green Toadstool is a hardy Lobophytum leather coral with green polyps extending across its thick, fleshy surface. As it grows, the colony develops the broad lobes and folds characteristic of the genus, creating a substantial soft coral with plenty of texture and movement.

Lobophytum are commonly known as Devil's Hand or Finger Leather Corals because mature colonies often develop chunky, finger-like lobes. They don't build a solid stony skeleton; instead, tiny internal structures called sclerites provide support while allowing the colony to remain flexible.

Why We Like It

This is a great coral for adding some proper size and shape to a reef without demanding complicated care. The green polyps add colour, while a mature Lobophytum develops into a chunky, architectural colony that looks completely different from the usual branching or encrusting corals.

Care Notes

A hardy, photosynthetic soft coral that doesn't require direct feeding. Moderate varied flow encourages good polyp extension and helps the coral naturally shed its surface layer. It may periodically close for several days before shedding a thin waxy film and reopening, often with even better polyp extension afterwards.