Trachyphyllia radiata Propagation Guide
Why Trachyphyllia radiata (formerly Wellsophyllia), a multi-mouth open brain coral, is not routinely fragged: a free-living fleshy polyp reproducing sexually on the reef rather than by conventional fragmentation.
Overview
Trachyphyllia radiata is a multi-mouth open brain coral in the family Merulinidae, formerly placed in the genus Wellsophyllia, with radial folds and a large fleshy mantle. Like Trachyphyllia geoffroyi it is a free-living coral that sits on the sandbed and inflates its tissue by day, and its biology closely matches the open brain group rather than branching LPS.
Reproductive Mode
Although radiata can carry several mouths within its folds, it behaves as a single, free-living fleshy colony and is not suited to conventional fragging. Reef Builders excludes single-polyp LPS such as scolys, meat corals, and fungias from conventional fragging techniques, and the open brain group, including radiata, is treated the same way, so it is not routinely fragmented.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
- Branch-separation fragging does not apply, because there are no heads on branches to divide.
- Asexual increase is mainly through natural budding and slow expansion of the fleshy colony, not deliberate cutting.
- Cutting through the folded tissue between mouths is possible but uncommon, risky, and regarded as an advanced technique.
- For most keepers the practical goal is healthy maintenance rather than propagation.
Even with multiple mouths, the fleshy folds form one continuous animal, so cutting it apart risks tearing tissue and triggering infection, far more so than separating branches on a phaceloid coral.
Conditions for Propagation
Keep temperature near 24-26 degrees Celsius and pH 8.1-8.4 with stable alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. The coral rests on the sandbed in low flow and medium light; gentle handling and spot feeding support recovery should a colony ever be divided.
Sexual Reproduction
On the reef, Trachyphyllia reproduces sexually. The genus is heavily harvested for the aquarium trade and is listed by the IUCN as Near Threatened, so most radiata specimens come from wild collection rather than from captive propagation.
Common Challenges
The large fleshy mantle is easily damaged by sharp rock or strong flow, and tears can develop into infection. Because the coral is not readily fraggable, dividing it risks losing the whole colony, so propagation is not recommended in routine aquarium care.