About Lobed Cactus Coral
Fleshy brain coral with deep folds and vivid coloration — a centerpiece LPS for the sandbed or low rockwork. Modest light, gentle flow, and the occasional target-fed meaty bit keep it thriving.
Lobophyllia hemprichii, commonly called lobed brain coral, lobed cactus coral or largebrain root coral, is a species of large polyp stony coral in the family Lobophylliidae. It is found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. In its specific name Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg honoured his late partner the Prussian naturalist Wilhelm Hemprich; they were among the first to study the marine life of the Red Sea.
Notes from the editors
What it looks like. Fleshy brain-style LPS with deep folds and convoluted ridges. Color combinations are striking — often green flesh with red mouths, or rainbow gradients of green, blue, and red. Polyps inflate dramatically during the day, almost doubling in size.
In your tank. Peaceful neighbor with no sweepers. Slow grower. The fleshy tissue is delicate — handle carefully when moving frags and avoid placing under aggressive corals that might sting it.
Placement and care. Sandbed or low rockwork under moderate light. Avoid direct strong flow which keeps the flesh retracted. Target feeding small pieces of mysis or coral food once or twice per week visibly accelerates growth and intensifies color.
Sourcing and feeding. Captive-propagated specimens dominate the market for desirable color morphs ($40–200+). Photosynthetic with target feeding strongly recommended.
Care info is a starting point, not a guarantee. Individual specimens, water chemistry, and tankmate dynamics vary. Verify against multiple sources and adjust to what you observe. See our terms & disclaimers.
Related corals
Sources & attribution
- Taxonomy and accepted name from the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS AphiaID 207392).
- Description content adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Photo: no rights reserved · CC0 (via iNaturalist or Wikimedia Commons).