Multi Colors Open Brain Coral

Quick facts

Handling caution: Feeding tentacles can deliver a mild sting; handle gently as inflated tissue tears easily out of water

Identity

Also known as

Open brain coral; Wellso brain coral; Folded brain coral; Rose coral

Synonyms

Wellsophyllia radiata

Environment

Saltwater

Native to

Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Australia, Vietnam

Habitat

Sheltered lagoons and muddy or sandy reef flats with calm, low-energy water; free-living on soft substrate rather than attached to rock

Sourcing

Both

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Coral type

LPS

Temperament

Semi-Aggressive

Growth form

Solitary

Adult size

2 – 8 in (5.1 – 20 cm)

Spread

10 in (25 cm)

Growth rate

Slow

Placement

Sand bed

Water

Temperature

74 – 82 °F (23 – 28 °C)

pH

8.1 – 8.4

dKH

8 – 11 dKH

Salinity

1.024 – 1.026 SG

PAR

50 – 100 PAR

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

Low

Reef care

Nutrient preference

Medium

Alk/Ca uptake

Medium

Target feeding

Beneficial

Give it room

4 in (10 cm)

Colors

Green, Red, Orange, Brown, Purple, Multicolor

Feeding & breeding

Diet

Carnivore

Foods

Frozen, Coral food, Zooplankton

Propagation

Fragging

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Care guide

Overview

Folded, fleshy lobes blend two or more tones across a single free-living skeleton, giving each specimen its own irregular color pattern. It rests unattached on the sand bed under low-to-moderate light and gentle flow, inflating by day and extending feeding tentacles at night. Keep it clear of rockwork and other corals to prevent tissue tears and stings.

Care

This solitary LPS coral inflates its fleshy tissue and can shift position slightly with water movement, but in aquariums it mostly stays where placed on the sand bed. It needs low to moderate indirect light and gentle flow, just enough to keep its surface free of settling detritus without blasting the tissue against its own skeleton. Keeping it away from rockwork prevents abrasion injuries that can lead to infection and tissue recession.

Placement & acclimation

Acclimate slowly to lighting since this coral is sensitive to sudden intensity changes, starting it under lower light and moving it up gradually if desired. Place it directly on the sand bed with open space on all sides; do not glue or wedge it into rockwork, as sharp surfaces will cut its delicate inflated tissue.

Feeding

Feeding tentacles usually emerge at night, though the coral can also respond to food scent during the day. Offer small meaty items such as mysis, chopped clams, or brine shrimp two to three times a week rather than daily, since overfeeding has been linked to odd growth and tissue problems. Watch that fish or crabs in the tank do not steal food directly from the polyp, as this can tear the tissue.

Neighbors

Leave generous clearance from neighboring corals since this species can sting with short feeding tentacles at night and is also vulnerable to sweeper tentacles from corals placed too close. Some tangs and angelfish have been known to pick at the fleshy tissue, so monitor compatibility with grazing fish. Because it sits loose on the sand, avoid placing it where powerful current or curious fish could tip it over.

Fragging

Not commonly fragged in home aquariums since it is a solitary polyp with a single mouth rather than a branching colony; propagation in the trade is mainly through aquaculture of new specimens rather than cutting existing ones.

Pests & problems

Sediment or detritus that settles on the tissue and is not sloughed off can weaken the coral and lead to bleaching or a bacterial infection resembling white-band disease. Avoid specimens showing algae growth on exposed skeleton, since this usually signals tissue recession that will progress over time. Never lift an inflated specimen straight out of the water, as the weight of trapped water can tear the flesh from the skeleton.

Sources

1. Trachyphyllia geoffroyi: Practically Perfect Open Brain Coral | Reef Builders
2. Open Brain Coral Care | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
3. Tidal Gardens - Trachyphyllia Coral Care
4. Open Brain Coral Care - Frag Box Corals

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