Master Wilsoni Care Guide
Master Wilsoni (Symphyllia wilsoni) is a LPS coral. Care covers 75-175 PAR, medium flow, reef parameters and feeding; advanced level.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Master Wilsoni (Symphyllia wilsoni) is a LPS coral in the family Lobophylliidae. Rare Australian closed-brain coral with iridescent green-blue stripes and red valleys. One of the most prized LPS.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lobophylliidae
- Genus: Symphyllia
- Scientific name: Symphyllia wilsoni
- Common synonyms: Wilsoni Brain, Master Brain
Habitat
In the wild, Symphyllia wilsoni is reported from Australia, where it occupies mid to lower reef slopes and lagoons (typically 5-30 m). The species adopts a massive 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: 6 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
Symphyllia wilsoni 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, amino-acids. 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: advanced. Reported skeletal growth in well-tuned reef tanks is approximately 0.05-0.2 cm/month. Propagation by fragmentation is straightforward for massive 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.
Symphyllia wilsoni Propagation Guide
Overview
Symphyllia wilsoni is an Australian closed brain coral in the family Lobophylliidae. Reef Builders notes that the genus Symphyllia was reclassified into Lobophyllia in 2016, though the older name remains in common trade use; the record name is kept verbatim here. Reef Builders describes Symphyllia colonies as one solid skeleton with puffy tissue and thick walls, the polyp mouths sitting at the centre of the valleys.
Reproductive Mode
Symphyllia wilsoni is colonial rather than solitary, forming a single connected skeleton whose corallites share walls, with polyps lining the meandering valleys. Because tissue and skeleton make one continuous sheet, the colony can be divided into pieces that each carry living polyps, allowing both asexual fragging in captivity and sexual spawning in the wild.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Reef Builders states most LPS corals need a band saw for fragging. On this closed brain coral the cut is run down the valleys between the thick walls, taking sections that each contain polyps with their skeleton. A coolant of home-tank water tinted light amber with iodine disinfects the cuts, and each section is then dried and glued to a plug with a flat base.
Conditions for Propagation
Reef Builders reports that after gently basting off mucus, polyps extend within hours and cut edges expand within days. Stable parameters, gentle flow and clean water aid healing. The thick, puffy tissue produces heavy mucus, so allow it to dissipate to avoid irritating neighbouring corals during the recovery period.
Sexual Reproduction
As a zooxanthellate stony coral in the Lobophylliidae, Symphyllia wilsoni reproduces sexually by broadcasting gametes into the water column, where fertilisation produces planula larvae that disperse, settle and grow into new colonies. This pathway, distinct from fragmentation, is how the species renews populations on the reef.
Common Challenges
Because the polyps sit inside the valleys, Reef Builders warns that cutting there can damage them, so the blade must stay centred between the walls. The thick tissue tears if the saw wanders, and the coral is moderately aggressive with abundant mucus, so frags need spacing while they heal. Poor water quality slows recovery and promotes tissue recession at the cut edges.