So, what is a Brain coral? For the purpose of today's article, we just mean “Open Brain Corals” or all of the species from the genus Lobophyllia that are commonly seen in your Local Fish Store. Take care if you use the name Brain Coral, as there are lots of different corals that use this common name like Dented Brain Coral, a name often given to corals from the Symphyllia genus, or Maze Brain Coral, most often used when referring to Platygyra genus corals. There's also Crater Brains, which most often refers to Trachyphyllia, whereas War Brains usually means Favites genus corals, and if you stick with just plain Brain Coral, it will probably mean Favia genus. We're sure we missed some, but you get the point.
Lobophyllia only bear a passing resemblance to most of these corals, with the notable exception of Symphillia, or Dented Brains, and long ago, they were both sold as Lobophyllia, which, given their incredibly similar aquarium requirements, wasn't actually all that detrimental. Now that everyone knows better, they can usually be told apart because the Lobophyllia will grow in a form that makes distinct lobes that are separate from each other, so they look like a collection of individual bubble(ish) shaped corallites, where Symphyllia grows in a form where these lobes share walls and thus end up looking more like an actual brain with a maze-like pattern throughout. Open Brain Corals (Lobos remember) are usually, but not always, more colorful that Dented Brain Corals (Symphyllia).
Like pretty much all LPS (large polyp stony) corals, Lobophyllia need food, and more than you might think. They will extend small polyps when they are hungry, and this can be up to three or even four times a week, and usually after lights go out. Feed them quality thawed foods like Gamma Mysis, Brine plus Spirulina, Copepods and/or Finely Chopped Prawn or Mussel. This can be done by gently basting any of these products over the corals when they look hungry. This will work best if you turn the flow in the display off, or way down while they grab their dinner. To learn more click here
Lobophyllia only bear a passing resemblance to most of these corals, with the notable exception of Symphillia, or Dented Brains, and long ago, they were both sold as Lobophyllia, which, given their incredibly similar aquarium requirements, wasn't actually all that detrimental. Now that everyone knows better, they can usually be told apart because the Lobophyllia will grow in a form that makes distinct lobes that are separate from each other, so they look like a collection of individual bubble(ish) shaped corallites, where Symphyllia grows in a form where these lobes share walls and thus end up looking more like an actual brain with a maze-like pattern throughout. Open Brain Corals (Lobos remember) are usually, but not always, more colorful that Dented Brain Corals (Symphyllia).
Like pretty much all LPS (large polyp stony) corals, Lobophyllia need food, and more than you might think. They will extend small polyps when they are hungry, and this can be up to three or even four times a week, and usually after lights go out. Feed them quality thawed foods like Gamma Mysis, Brine plus Spirulina, Copepods and/or Finely Chopped Prawn or Mussel. This can be done by gently basting any of these products over the corals when they look hungry. This will work best if you turn the flow in the display off, or way down while they grab their dinner. To learn more click here
