Open Brain Coral... ID, hlth...  2/25/08 Greetings WWM, <<G'Morning. Andrew today>> I have acquired and open brain coral, I stuck him on the bottom of the tank in the substrate and he was all closed up and now he has puffed up like a balloon is this normal? My water perimeters are great any suggestions? Thanks from Colorado <<Species of coral? Would always prefer to know you exact water parameters. <<Sometimes, yes this is normal for an open brain to bloat up as its creating more surface area for feeding. Maybe provide a photograph to enable us to better look at the coral>> <<Hope this helps. A Nixon>>

Quick Trachyphyllia/Wellsophyllia question 4/23/04  Greetings!  <cheers>  Thanks again for a wonderful site. Got a quick question for you that I can't seem to find in the FAQ's. I am researching my next coral purchase (almost bought it out of impulse, instead put it on hold and decided to research it.....lessons learned reading daily FAQ's).  <very good to hear :)> I am almost decided on getting an open brain coral. I am almost certain it is Trachyphyllia radiata.  <the genus is monotypic... all such open brains are Trachyphyllia geoffroyi. T. radiata and Wellsophyllia radiata are not valid>  It looks healthy but I will examine it again when I go back to the store. Here is my question. I do have bristle worms in my tank.  <good. Seriously. They are helpful in small quantities (excellent for DSB health). If they are in excess numbers (enough to harm coral), then there is a nutrient control problem in the tank (overfeeding, inadequate water flow, poor skimming, weak water changes, etc). But rest assured, they are wholly limited by food/nutrients and well within your control>  None of them are too large (largest I have seen is about 2" long). Will this coral be harmed by them if I put it on my sand substrate?  <the coral must be placed on the substrate to live/survive. Never place Trachyphyllia on rock>  I have the perfect location picked out already. Plenty of light, not a lot of current and away from other corals. The worms are my only concern at this time. Thanks -Ray  <Be sure to feed this coral several times weekly with very fine minced foods. Crucial for this hungry coral. Anthony>

Coral questions Hi, <Graham at your service.> I have a couple questions and can't find the answers in your FAQs.  The first one: I have read about open brains and different scientific names.  I have a Wellsophyllia; is this an open brain?   <Yes. Most likely your brain coral is in the genus Trachyphyllia.> Also, does my Wellsophyllia need to be fed, and if so what? <The Brain coral will benefit from regular feedings, however, it's not needed. If you wish to feed your coral, you can try to feed the coral at night when its feeder tentacles are out. Once these tentacles are out, you can place several small pieces of krill within these tentacles and the brain should consume the food. Silversides and lancefish may also work.> Another quick question.  What do you recommend to feed Fungia and what do you find to be the best method.   <If you feed your fish regularly, most likely the plate will be catching food particles. You can also place small pieces of meaty foods (krill, silversides, squid, etc.) within the plates tentacles. The tentacles should then push the food towards the central mouth where the food is then consumed.> Do frogspawn need to be fed as well or is good lighting sufficient (I have 1 250 watt metal halide and two 36 watt actinic bulbs in a 75 gallon corner tank).   <As I stated above, they will benefit from regular feedings, although it isn't necessary. If you choose to feed the coral, do so the same as you would as I described above with the plate coral.> Thanks!! <Take Care, Graham!> Andrew

Coral names, questions 6/1/04 I have a couple questions and can't find the answers in your FAQs.  The first one: I have read about open brains and different scientific names.  I have a Wellsophyllia; is this an open brain? <yes... but that scientific name is not valid anymore. All such brains are Trachyphyllia, a monospecific genus> Also, does my Wellsophyllia need to be fed, and if so what? <yes, feed finely minced meats of marine origin weekly or more often. Whole foods like Mysid shrimp and pacific plankton from your pet stores freezer are also quite good> Another quick question.  What do you recommend to feed Fungia and what do you find to be the best method.   <the same as above... and feed all such LPS corals by adding a little bit of food or juice to the tank 15 minutes prior to feeding to stimulate a feeding (tentacle) response> Do frogspawn need to be fed as well or is good lighting sufficient (I have 1 250 watt metal halide and two 36 watt actinic bulbs in a 75 gallon corner tank).   <they also need fed, like most all large polyped corals. They have these large polyps for a reason! Form follows function as they say. As a rule, most corals need to be target fed unless the fish/feeding load otherwise is very heavy (rare)> Thanks!! Andrew <best regards, Anthony>

Brain Coral Dear Bob, Steve or Anthony, <Steven this evening.> I have what a local dealer called "Wellsophyllia". Is this species kept the same as Lobophyllia? <No, you should be able to find your animal under the name Trachyphyllia radiata or T. geoffroyi.> What is the difference? I don't see it in any of my books. <Wellsophyllia is no longer a valid name and some people argue the same thing for the species name radiata. That maybe why you cannot find it.> I currently have it midway up in my tank laying flat on some live rock. Must they be in the substrate or is this ok? <No, much better/safer on the sand.> I have 275 watts of PC lighting in a 50 gal reef. Thanks for any advice, Mario <You can find excellent care instructions in "Book of Coral Propagation" by Anthony Calfo. Also in Eric Borneman's "Aquarium Corals" and Delbeek & Sprung's first book. In general, keep on sand, feed several times weekly, moderate lighting, similar to many LPS's. -Steven Pro>