Can beginners keep an Open Brain Coral?

This coral is generally considered suited to intermediate keepers. Some prior experience with water quality and flow management will help you care for it confidently.

How long can it live in an aquarium?

With proper care, it can live for over a decade. Maintaining both photosynthesis (via lighting) and regular feeding is key to supporting it long-term.

Is feeding really necessary?

Yes, regular feeding is essential alongside photosynthesis. It responds very well to food, and you can often watch it open its mouth to capture it.

Can it be kept near other corals?

Since its tentacles extend quite far, it's important to keep enough distance from neighboring corals to avoid contact. Allow extra space when planning your layout.

Are there legal procedures required to bring one home?

Open Brain Coral is not subject to CITES, so no special legal procedures are needed when bringing one home.

Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia)

The Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia) is one of the most striking large-polyp stony (LPS) corals, with a fleshy, inflated body that spreads out like a blooming flower in vivid colors. It's typically kept resting on the sand bed or tucked among rockwork rather than mounted, and it sways gently with the current. One of its most rewarding traits is how readily it responds to feeding — watching it extend its mouth to take in food is a highlight for many keepers. Alongside photosynthesis, regular feeding is essential to its care. With attentive husbandry, it can live for over a decade, making it a coral worth building a long-term relationship with. It's generally considered suited to intermediate keepers who have some grounding in water quality and flow management.

View Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia) encyclopedia →

Find Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia) breeders(0)

Limited Time Offer

0% commission on your first sales!Register by September 30, 2026 and your first 2 sales are commission-free!

Breeder Wanted!

List on BreederDirect and sell directly to customers nationwide!

Free registrationNo monthly feesCommission on sales only

Br-Choku's 6 Transparency Standards

Our Breeder sellers disclose detailed care specs for all Coral listings. We prioritize Aquacultured/CB specimens, verify WYSIWYG photos, and provide difficulty ratings—avoiding wild-caught.

Aquacultured
WYSIWYG Photo
Difficulty Disclosed
Frag/Colony
Care Info Included
Trade name shown

All types Coral Frags SPS (Acropora etc.)Hydnophora (Horn Coral)Cyphastrea Stylophora Seriatopora (Bird's Nest Coral)Pocillopora (Cauliflower Coral)Pavona Porites Merulina Montipora Cap Montipora Setosa

Browse all 66 breeds

Filter

Price

Region

Has show resultsChampion titles

Attributes

FragWYSIWYG (Actual photo)Aquacultured

0 items

Sort by

Verified breeders wanted for Coral

Breeders are signing up now ahead of launch. Subscribe to be notified when new listings go live.

Find breeders Browse the Coral encyclopedia

Getting alerts is free with a member account. When new listings match your saved search, we'll notify you by email and in-app.

Browse other categories

Dogs Cats Marine Fish Tropical Fish Goldfish Medaka Reptiles & Amphibians Small Pets Birds Insects Exotic Invertebrates

Verified breeders (preview)

森信幸 Breeder

宮城県

朝比奈理一 Breeder

宮城県

Are you raising coral?

Apply as a breeder

About Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia)

Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia) is a flower-like LPS coral prized for its fleshy, colorful body and strong feeding response. An intermediate-level species with over a decade of potential lifespan.

7 things to know before welcoming a Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia)

1Keep it on the sand bed
Open Brain Coral isn't attached to rock — it's typically rested on the sand bed or nestled among live rock. Arrange your layout carefully so it doesn't get rolled around by water flow.
2Provide gentle water flow
Excessive flow can damage the fleshy tissue or cause the coral to stay contracted. Aim for indirect, gentle currents that let the polyps fully expand.
3Responds well to feeding
This coral is known for its strong feeding response, often opening its mouth wide when food is nearby. Regular feeding plays a key role in keeping it healthy.
4Needs both light and feeding
Beyond photosynthesis from its symbiotic algae, this coral also needs regular direct feeding. Balancing both — not relying on just one — is key to long-term success.
5Keep distance from other corals
Its tentacles extend considerably, and contact with neighboring corals can cause stinging conflicts. Give it plenty of open space when placing it in your tank.
6Suited to intermediate keepers
This coral is generally considered an intermediate-level species. Having some experience managing water quality and flow conditions helps ensure stable, long-term care.
7Not subject to CITES
Open Brain Coral is not subject to CITES. There's no need to worry about special procedures when bringing one home.

Frequently asked questions about Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia)

Q.Can beginners keep an Open Brain Coral?: A.This coral is generally considered suited to intermediate keepers. Some prior experience with water quality and flow management will help you care for it confidently.
Q.How long can it live in an aquarium?: A.With proper care, it can live for over a decade. Maintaining both photosynthesis (via lighting) and regular feeding is key to supporting it long-term.
Q.Is feeding really necessary?: A.Yes, regular feeding is essential alongside photosynthesis. It responds very well to food, and you can often watch it open its mouth to capture it.
Q.Can it be kept near other corals?: A.Since its tentacles extend quite far, it's important to keep enough distance from neighboring corals to avoid contact. Allow extra space when planning your layout.
Q.Are there legal procedures required to bring one home?: A.Open Brain Coral is not subject to CITES, so no special legal procedures are needed when bringing one home.

Useful tools for Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia) care

💧Aquarium Volume CalculatorCalculate water volume, weight, and heater wattage from tank dimensions 🧪Water Quality CheckerFind compatible fish, shrimp, plants & corals based on pH, temperature & hardness 💡Lighting CalculatorCalculate optimal LED lighting based on tank size and plants/corals 🔄Nitrogen Cycle GuideAuto-calculate bacteria colonization timeline for new tank cycling 🗓️Seasonal Care CalendarMonthly care events and seasonal management tips at a glance 🚿Water Change CalculatorAuto-calculate optimal water change frequency and volume by tank size and fish count 🐠Stocking CalculatorCalculate max fish capacity for your tank size with overstocking alerts ⚡Electricity Cost SimulatorCalculate monthly and annual electricity costs for care equipment with presets 🏞️Tank Layout PlannerGet substrate, plant & hardscape suggestions based on tank size and style 🧮Care Cost SimulatorEstimate initial, monthly & annual costs by category, care level and quantity ⚖️Species Comparison ToolCompare two species side by side: care difficulty, size, lifespan & temperature 🚚Transport Safety CheckerCheck transport safety score and precautions by category, season, method and distance ⏱️Quarantine & Acclimation TimerManage quarantine periods and acclimation steps with countdown timers. Includes recommended durations by species

Learn more about Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia) in the encyclopedia

View Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia) encyclopedia entry →

Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.

Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia) related articles

Trachyphyllia (Open Brain Coral) Care Guide | Water Flow, Feeding, and Color Enhancement for Substrate-Dwelling LPS

Trachyphyllia (Trachyphyllia geoffroyi) is a popular LPS coral known for its vibrant green, red, and multicolor variations. This guide details placement, feeding, and water flow management specific to substrate-dwelling corals, along with color enhancement tips and troubleshooting for common issues.

See more Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia) articles →