Sinensis Brain Care Guide
Sinensis Brain (Platygyra sinensis) is a LPS coral. Care covers 75-175 PAR, medium flow, reef parameters and feeding; beginner level.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Sinensis Brain (Platygyra sinensis) is a LPS coral in the family Merulinidae. Smaller-valley Platygyra often imported from Chinese-Pacific waters. Mild LPS suitable for mixed reefs.
Taxonomy
- Family: Merulinidae
- Genus: Platygyra
- Scientific name: Platygyra sinensis
- Common synonyms: Chinese Brain
Habitat
In the wild, Platygyra sinensis is reported from Indo-Pacific, where it occupies mid to lower reef slopes and lagoons (typically 5-30 m). The species adopts a encrusting growth form on hard substrate within zooxanthellate reef communities.
Tank requirements
- Salinity (specific gravity): 1.024-1.026
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-11
- Calcium: 400-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Phosphate (max): 0.03 ppm
- Nitrate (max): 5 ppm
- Minimum system age: 3 months
Placement and lighting
- PAR (placement zone): 75-175 PAR
- Water flow: medium
Mount this LPS coral on the lower or mid rockwork or on the sand bed (for free-living forms) where light is moderate. Strong direct flow can damage the fleshy tissue; aim for indirect, varied movement.
Feeding
Platygyra sinensis hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae and derives most of its energy through photosynthesis. Supplemental target feeding accelerates growth and supports colouration; commonly accepted items include mysis, reef-roids. Feed once or twice per week after lights-out, when polyps are extended.
Compatibility
This coral is moderately aggressive toward neighbours. It extends sweeper tentacles capable of stinging adjacent corals, so leave generous spacing (10-20 cm) between colonies. Reef-safe with most fish and invertebrates.
Care notes
Difficulty level: beginner. Reported skeletal growth in well-tuned reef tanks is approximately 0.2-0.5 cm/month. Propagation by fragmentation is straightforward for encrusting colonies — separate branches or polyps with a bone cutter, glue to plug, allow 1-2 weeks for healing. Maintain stable alkalinity (avoid swings above ±0.5 dKH per day) to preserve tissue health.
Platygyra sinensis (Sinensis Brain) Propagation Guide
Overview
Platygyra sinensis is a maze brain coral in the family Merulinidae with comparatively small meandering valleys. Like its congeners it grows as a single connected colony, so propagation is done by dividing the stony skeleton rather than by detaching separate heads.
Reproductive Mode
The colony grows by asexual budding of polyps along its meandroid valleys, all sharing one skeleton and genotype. On the reef Platygyra is a hermaphroditic broadcast spawner that releases gametes for external fertilisation. Aquarium propagation uses only the asexual route.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
- Choose a colony with good polyp extension and mark a low valley wall for the cut.
- Saw through the skeleton with a band saw, keeping each frag's valleys intact.
- Rinse off debris and attach each frag skeleton-down to a plug or rock.
- Recover under moderate flow and reduced light until tissue covers the edge.
Conditions for Propagation
- Stable alkalinity, calcium and magnesium for skeletal repair.
- Moderate, clean flow over cuts.
- Softened light through the recovery period.
- Low nutrients to keep exposed skeleton algae-free.
Sexual Reproduction
In nature Platygyra takes part in mass spawning, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column for external fertilisation; larvae then settle and form new colonies. This route is not practical for home propagation.
Common Challenges
Maze brains tolerate aquarium life well, but a freshly cut skeleton can be overgrown by algae or recede if flow and water quality dip. Slice cleanly with a saw and keep handling brief.