Yellow Devil's Hand Coral - Lobophytum sp.

Devil's Hand Coral (Lobophytum sp.) is one of several species commonly known as "Finger Leather". It is a soft coral with a fleshy base and short, stubby tentacles. It is sometimes also called the Lobed Leather Coral and is sometimes confused with the Toadstool Leathers (Sarcophyton sp.). Most colonies are a shade of tan or purple, but brightly colored colonies are occasionally available.

Lobophytum corals need moderate to high lighting to support the zooxanthallae algae that lives in its tissue and from which it gets much of its food. This coral also filter-feeds and can benefit from plankton supplements and small foods. It should be places in an area with moderate to high flow to help carry away wastes and to help the coral with its occasional shedding.

Like most other leather corals, Lobophytum corals can release a toxin that irritates its neighbors and is considered moderately aggressive. Give this coral plenty of space to spread out without bothering the corals around it.

This coral is an excellent choice for an aquarist interesting in home coral propagation and "fragging". It can easily be separated into smaller colonies and moved around the tank or traded with other aquarists.