Open Brain Coral Care Guide
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi is a free-living LPS coral of soft-sediment reef slopes and lagoons; in aquaria it is kept on the sand bed and feeds actively at night.
Overview
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi is a fleshy large-polyp stony (LPS) coral and the only species in its genus. Colonies are small, rarely exceeding 20 cm in diameter, with a flabello-meandroid growth form and distinct valleys. The bilaterally symmetrical, fleshy polyp and mantle extend well beyond the skeleton, and colours include blue, green, yellow and brown.
Taxonomy
- Family: Trachyphylliidae
- Genus: Trachyphyllia
- Scientific name: Trachyphyllia geoffroyi
- Common names: open brain coral
Habitat
The species is free-living and ranges across the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea to New Caledonia. It occurs on sandy reef slopes, around continental islands and in lagoons, and is less common directly within reef communities, often near other free-living corals. It is recorded to a maximum depth of about 40 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Lighting: moderate
- Water flow: low
- Placement: directly on the sand bed, not on rock
Diet
The coral combines photosynthesis from symbiotic zooxanthellae with active feeding. In aquaria it extends tentacles at night and benefits greatly from target feeding with meaty foods.
Reef compatibility
It is a peaceful coral best kept on a soft substrate; placement on rockwork can damage the tissue. The species hosts the gall crab Lithoscaptus semperi in the wild.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened. Recorded threats include habitat loss, over-harvesting for the aquarium trade, disease, ocean acidification and severe storms.