Open Brain Coral

Trachyphyllia geoffroyi

Care Level	Easy to moderate
Lighting	Low to moderate
Water Flow	Low
Placement	Sand bed
Aggression	Peaceful
Coloration	Vivid red, green, rainbow folds

Overview

The Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia) is a free-living, fleshy LPS with brain-like folds in striking colors. Because it sits directly on the sand rather than attaching to rock, it is easy to position and a favorite showpiece. Wellsophyllia and “rainbow” Trachy morphs are especially prized.

Care & Placement

Place it directly on a soft SAND BED (not on rock — the skeleton can scratch and it prefers sand) under low-to-moderate light and LOW flow. Too much flow prevents its tissue from inflating. Give it open space so its swollen tissue does not touch neighbors.

Feeding

Photosynthetic and a strong feeder — it has a large central mouth. Target-feed meaty foods (mysis, chopped silversides) once or twice a week in the evening for excellent growth.

Propagation

Generally not fragged — it is a single free-living polyp. Buy whole specimens; propagation is left to experts.

Cautions

Keep it on sand, not rock, and use gentle flow so it inflates fully. Peaceful, but its inflated tissue can touch and be stung by aggressive neighbors — give it room. Watch for “brown jelly” if tissue is damaged.