Flat Open Brain Coral

Graceful, vibrant, and easy to love — the Flat Open Brain Coral, also known as Trachyphyllia, features a flat, disc-like profile with mesmerizing folds and bold color combinations. This WYSIWYG piece showcases radiant streaks of red, green, and metallic gold radiating from a central mouth, with soft fleshy tissue that sways gently in the current. It’s a perfect showpiece for beginners and collectors alike.

🧼 Trachyphyllia Coral Care Guide
About Trachyphyllia geoffroyi
Commonly called the Flat Open Brain Coral, this LPS coral is known for its rippling, fleshy surface and brilliant pigmentation. It’s a solitary polyp species with a round or slightly elongated shape that lies directly on the sandbed. Peaceful, hardy, and photosynthetic, it makes a fantastic centerpiece in any reef.

🌍 Origin
Native to sandy lagoons and reef slopes across the Indo-Pacific. Most specimens available today are aquacultured or sustainably harvested.

💡 Lighting Requirements
Prefers low to moderate lighting. Too much intensity can lead to bleaching or polyp retraction, while soft light enhances color vibrancy.

Low Light: 30–60 PAR
Medium Light: 60–100 PAR
Best placement: on the sandbed with gentle, indirect lighting.

🌊 Water Flow
Low, random flow is ideal. The coral should expand freely without being blasted by direct current, which can damage the soft tissue.

🍽️ Feeding
Though primarily photosynthetic, Flat Brain Corals benefit greatly from regular feedings. Target-feed 2–3 times per week using mysis shrimp, LPS pellets, or reef roids for faster growth and deeper coloration.

🌱 Propagation
Not suitable for casual fragging. Trachyphyllia is a single-polyp coral and propagation should only be performed by professionals using specialized aquaculture techniques.

🔄 Acclimation
Use a slow drip acclimation over 45–60 minutes. Stability in salinity, calcium, and alkalinity is key to long-term success.

⚠️ Placement Tip:
Place directly on the sandbed with no sharp rock contact. It inflates substantially and needs a soft, stable resting spot to avoid tearing.

🌈 Why It’s Special:
With its wide, flat form and vibrant, marbled coloration, the Flat Open Brain Coral is an eye-catching, peaceful coral that plays beautifully with lighting and flow. A true gem for reefers who love both beauty and ease.