© Ryan McMinds / CC BY 2.0Lobactis (Fungia Scutaria)
Lobactis (formerly known as Fungia scutaria) is a solitary coral that lives freely on sand or coral rubble instead of attaching itself to rock. Its disc-to-oval skeleton features tentacular lobes arranged toward the center of the septa, creating a striking contrast against its body color. Growing up to about 17 cm, it can become a real centerpiece in a tank. Rated beginner-friendly in difficulty, it's an approachable choice for anyone new to coral keeping, and it extends its tentacles at night to feed, offering a very different look than during the day.
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Lobactis (Fungia Scutaria) key facts
- Care level
- Beginner-friendly
- Size
- Up to about 17 cm
- Temperature
- 24〜26℃
- Diet
- Carnivorous, catching plankton, small shrimps and fish with its tentacles. It feeds by day as well as by night.
- Lighting
- Moderate light is enough; LiveAquaria lists fungiid plate corals as moderate-light corals. Stronger light deepens the colour but is not required.
- Flow & Placement
- Set it mouth-up on a fine sand bed. AlgaeBarn recommends low to moderate flow for fungiids. It inflates to nearly twice its size, so leave room around it.
- Water Temperature & Quality
- Water 24-26C, specific gravity 1.023-1.025 (salinity 33-35 ppt), pH 8.1-8.4, KH 8-12, calcium 380-440 ppm, magnesium 1300-1400 ppm.
- Feeding
- Distinctly carnivorous and feeding by day as well as by night. It takes brine shrimp, micro-plankton and chopped seafood placed near the mouth.
- Notes
- Its tissue is thin and it rots if buried or left upside down. Its sweeper tentacles damage neighbours, so leave clearance. As a scleractinian it is on CITES Appendix II and international trade requires permits. The Japanese name kusabiraishi is sometimes also applied to Ctenactis echinata, so the common name alone does not distinguish them. That species grows elongate at roughly 25 cm long and 10 cm wide and needs correspondingly more floor space, so confirm the scientific name before deciding on placement.
About Lobactis (Fungia Scutaria)
Lobactis is a solitary coral that lives freely on sand or rubble rather than attaching to rock, growing up to about 17 cm with tentacular lobes that contrast strikingly against its body color. It's rated beginner-friendly.
7 things to know before welcoming a Lobactis (Fungia Scutaria)
1Free-Living, Not Attached
Lobactis lives detached from rock, freely on sand or coral rubble. Because water flow can shift it slightly, consider flow direction and surrounding layout to help it settle into one spot.
2Contrasting Tentacle Lobes
The tentacular lobes near the center of its septa create a striking contrast with its body color. The skeleton stands out by day, while at night the tentacles extend fully, giving it a very different look.
3Grows Up to 17 cm
Adults can reach up to about 17 cm, with the outline shifting from a disc shape to a more elongated oval as they grow. Plan for enough space in your tank layout as it matures.
4Beginner-Friendly Difficulty
This species is rated beginner-friendly, making it an approachable choice for those new to coral keeping. That said, the same basic water quality care required for other corals still applies.
5Solitary, Not Colonial
Lobactis is a solitary coral, the sole species in its genus, with each individual living as a single independent polyp. Unlike colonial corals, it doesn't grow by budding into a colony.
6Give It Room to Roam
Because it lives unattached, water flow and nearby corals can cause it to shift position over time. Leave enough space around it to avoid contact with other specimens or live rock.
7Sits on Sand, Not Rock
Rather than attaching to rock, Lobactis is simply placed on sand or coral rubble. Checking the substrate and flow direction before placement helps it settle into a stable spot.
Frequently asked questions about Lobactis (Fungia Scutaria)
- Q.Does Lobactis need to be attached to rock?
- A.No — Lobactis is naturally a free-living coral, so attaching it to rock isn't necessary. It's simply placed on sand or coral rubble.
- Q.Why does it look different during the day and at night?
- A.By day, the contrast between the skeleton and tentacular lobes stands out; at night it extends its tentacles widely to feed, giving it a different appearance.
- Q.Can it move around in the tank?
- A.Because it lives unattached, water flow and its position relative to other corals can cause it to shift slightly over time. Avoiding excessively strong flow helps keep it in place.
- Q.Is this coral suitable for beginners?
- A.Yes, it's rated beginner-friendly, making it approachable for those new to coral keeping, though basic water quality care is still required.
- Q.How large does it grow?
- A.Adults reach up to about 17 cm, with the outline shifting from disc-shaped to a more elongated oval as they grow.
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