12/23/2024
🇬🇧 Scientific name: Trachyphyllia geoffroyi
Common Names: Open Brain Coral
📝 Description:
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi, commonly known as Open Brain Coral, is a species of large-polyp hard coral popular in reef aquariums for its unique and colorful appearance. This coral is recognizable by its rounded shape and large, fleshy polyps that open into brain shapes, creating a fascinating visual spectacle with bright colors and intricate patterns.
🏞️ Housing:
The Open Brain Coral thrives in reef habitats with low to moderate water flow and adequate lighting. It is often found on the sandy bottoms of lagoons and protected reefs, where it attaches to soft substrates. In captivity, it is important to reproduce these natural conditions to ensure its health and growth.
💧 Water quality:
Maintaining stable water parameters is essential for the well-being of Trachyphyllia geoffroyi. It prefers water temperatures ranging from 24 to 27°C, salinity from 1.024 to 1.026, and pH from 8.0 to 8.4. Additionally, proper levels of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium are necessary for their skeletal growth and overall health.
🌿 Food:
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi is mainly photosynthetic thanks to the symbiotic zooxanthellae present in its tissues. However, it can also benefit from supplemental feeding with phytoplankton, zooplankton and other specialized coral foods. Targeted feeding can improve coral growth and coloration.
🔆 Lighting:
Adequate lighting is crucial for the health and coloration of the Open Brain Coral. It requires light of moderate intensity, with a spectrum that includes blue and violet wavelengths to support photosynthesis and pigmentation.
🌊 Water flow:
The Open Brain Coral prefers low to moderate water flow to avoid stress and damage to delicate polyps. Proper water movement helps remove waste and provide nutrients, but direct, turbulent flow should be avoided.
