Platygyra sinensis (Sinensis Brain) Propagation Guide

Propagating the maze brain coral Platygyra sinensis (Merulinidae) by cutting its single meandering skeleton, with notes on broadcast spawning on the reef.

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.