Lava Rim Symphyllia

About this coral

Lava Rim Symphyllia is a large-polyp stony (LPS) coral sold under this shop name. It belongs to the Symphyllia group, which taxonomists have since merged into Lobophyllia, so these corals are often called lobos. Lobos are fleshy, colorful LPS corals with a thick tissue layer over a stony skeleton. The care below is general guidance for the Symphyllia/Lobophyllia group. It is not documentation specific to this named color morph. These corals suit mixed reefs and LPS-focused aquariums, where they are usually kept on the lower levels of the rockwork or on the sand bed.

Features:

• A fleshy LPS coral with thick tissue over a hard calcium carbonate skeleton.
• Often considered one of the more forgiving LPS corals when water parameters stay stable.
• Hosts photosynthetic zooxanthellae but also benefits from regular target feeding.
• Takes meaty foods such as mysis, brine shrimp or prepared LPS pellets, usually when its feeding tentacles are out.
• Can put out sweeper tentacles, especially at night, so give it space from neighboring corals.
• Its fleshy tissue can be damaged by strong, direct flow, so gentle to moderate flow is generally preferred.

Specifications:

• Care level: Easy to moderate
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive; give it space from other corals
• Lighting: Low to moderate
• Water flow: Low to moderate, indirect
• Placement: Sand bed or lower rockwork
• Diet: Photosynthetic; benefits from meaty target feeding
• Temperature: 76–82°F
• pH: 8.1–8.4
• Salinity: 1.024–1.026 SG
• Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH
• Calcium: 400–450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm