Symphyllia agaricia

Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849

Closed Brain Coral, Dented Brain Coral, Maze Coral

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea, east Africa, northwest to Japan, and south to Australia.

Natural Environment: Inhabits exposed upper reef slopes and is somewhat uncommon in the wild.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade, and quite hardy.

As for placement, either place on bottom substrate where disturbed sand would not cover its polyps, as this may cause it to become stressed when sloughing off excessive sand particles. It may also be placed about half way up in the aquarium in a secure area that receives moderate water movement and moderate light.

And since this is a photosynthetic stony coral, it does not require direct feeding, however, that doesn't mean it will not accept meaty-type foods, such as fortified brine shrimp, mysis, small pieces of marine fish/shrimp flesh, rotifers, and/or products containing Cyclop-eeze or similar type products. Direct hand feeding should only occur when its feeding tentacles are displayed, which in the wild are at night. Nevertheless, it will sometimes display them if it senses food entering the aquarium during the daytime, and have in the past used a freeze-dried krill squished between my fingertips in the aquarium water to bring forth its feeding tentacles.

Feeding, in my opinion, should not occur more than once every couple of weeks, as I've seen this species coral go through some odd shaped changes a day or two after feeding, and then become somewhat poor looking for a week thereafter. Also, good advice for others, such as Lobophyllia hemprichii.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Mussidae

Genus: Symphyllia

FYI: Similar to Lobophyllia spp., however able to withstand somewhat brighter light.

Experience Level: Beginner

Diet: Photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 74 - 83°F (23 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Lighting: PAR 350 - 450

Water Movement: WM 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.