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| hard corals text index | photo index |
| Phylum Cnidaria > Class Anthozoa > Subclass Zoantharia/Hexacorallia > Order Scleractinia > Family Lobophylliidae |
| Grooved
brain coral Lobophyllia sp.* Family Lobophylliidae updated Sep 2025 Where seen? This fleshy dome-shaped hard coral that resembles a brain is often seen on many of our Southern shores. Previously Symphyllia species now mostly known as Lobophyllia. Features: Colonies seen about 15-20cm, sometimes larger, hemispherical and rather flat. Walls are thick with prominent 'teeth', forming brain-like patterns with wide valleys (2-3cm wide). There is usually a slight dent or groove along the top of the wall. When submerged, the skeleton is covered with thick, fleshy tissue. The tentacles are usually only seen at night, and are numerous, short, slender with bulbous tips. Colours seen include brown, blue and green, often with contrasting coloured walls and valleys. Many seen had striking white portions. |
 With tentacles extended. Pulau Hantu, Apr 06 |
 With tentacles retracted. |
 With tentacles retracted, groove at the top of the walls. |
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 Tanah Merah, Apr 12  |
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 Tanah Merah, Jun 12  |
 Cyrene Reef, May 08  |
 Sisters Island, Jul 04  |
 Pulau Hantu, Apr 06  |
 Raffles Lighthouse, Jul 06  |
 Pulau Semakau, Oct 11  |
 Pulau Hantu, Jul 07  |
 Sisters Island, Aug 08  |
*Species are difficult to positively identify without close examination.
On this website, they are grouped by external features for convenience of display.
| Grooved brain corals on Singapore shores |
On wildsingapore
flickr
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| Other sightings on Singapore shores |
 Pulau Pawai, Dec 09  |
 Terumbu Berkas, Jan 10  |
 Terumbu Berkas, Jan 10  |
 Pulau Senang, Jun 10  Bleaching. |
 Pulau Senang, Jun 10  |
 Bleaching. Pulau Berkas, May 10 |
 Bleaching. Pulau Salu, Jun 10 |
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