Green Brain Coral
Green brain coral (Latin name Trachyphyllia Geoffroyi), also known as Green Open Brain Coral, Green Brain, or Green Trachyphyllia, is a carnivorous, large polyped stony coral that is native to the waters of the Indo-Pacific.
Green Brain Coral Shape And Color
With coloring that blends shades of green, tan and cream (specific coloring varies depending on depth and strength of water current), the green brain coral is a sand dwelling organism that has the ability to expand to three times its size during the day. The general shape of a green brain coral is similar to what its name suggests, a human brain, although it is generally flatter than other species of brain coral.
Behavior Green Brain Coral
It is during the night that the green brain coral is most active, when it extends multiple rows of tentacles that trap passing organisms and pass its prey to the many mouths in the colony. In the wild, green brain coral reproduce by fragmentation, originally starting as singly polyps that are attached to a hard surface (usually a rock) and eventually breaking off to reside on the bottom of the sea floor. (If an aquarist wants to cultivate green brain coral, the process can be mimicked in an artificial environment.)
Green Brain Coral In The Reef Aquarium
The green brain coral is an ideal coral for aquarium enthusiasts, as it is an extremely hardy coral- one that will adapt and thrive in almost any environment, and is easily found in the wild (which makes the green brain coral more accessible to aquarists). In artificial environments, the green brain coral simply requires a mild pace and strength of water flow, steady access to low light conditions due to its symbiotic algae, and a sandy or muddy bottom. Specific water quality levels for a green brain coral should include a range of 1.023-1.025 SG, 8.1-8.4 pH, 8-12 dKH, and a temperature between 72-78 degrees.
Feeding The Green Brain Coral
The green brain coral should be fed when it is fully open and its tentacles extended, and the ideal diet should consist of a combination of filter feeding food, my sis shrimp and micro plankton (as well as the occasional silversides). In general, the food for green brain coral should be made available around three days a week. The green brain coral will also obtain nutrients from photosynthesis, a process that occurs due to the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) it hosts within its system.
Placement Of Green Brain Coral In The Reef Aquarium
Many home aquarium owners may worry that placing the green brain coral on the bottom of the tank will reduce its access to water flow and light. However, the green brain coral addresses this problem itself by blowing up its polyps to a level at which it receives the best access to these elements. Because of the green brain corals aggressive nature, aquarists need to be cautious of placing other coral and organisms in close proximity of the green brain coral. The green brain coral has the capability to sting others as one of its defense mechanisms.
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