We thought we would do some teasing, and display some of the incredible color variation showing up on open brain corals in the US market. These are typically collected in deeper water than their close relatives, Trachyphyllia geoffroyi, with an average collection depth of 30-40 meters.
By far one of the easiest large polyp stony corals for aquarists to start with and keep for decades, these solitary corals do best on the substrate, or bottom of the aquarium, require low to medium PAR levels (75-150), prefer regular feedings of large micron/ large food items such as chopped clam, chopped mussel, chopped fish flesh, LRS Reef Frenzy, or similar high quality frozen foods, 2-3 times per week.
As with most corals in captivity, stable tropical temperatures near 78°F, stable near natural specific gravity (1.025-1.0264/ 35ppt), and stable calcium (420-440ppm), magnesium (1360-1440ppm), and alkalinity (7.5-8.5dkH) are advised.
Avoid fish that nip, such as butterflyfish, and angelfish, as these corals regularly fall victim to opportunistic feeders such as these.