Grooved Brain Coral
Lobophyllia recta
Also known as Symphyllia, Symphyllia Brain Coral, Sinuous Cup Coral, Closed Brain Coral, Meat Brain Coral
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F (24–27°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 9.8 in (25 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 26 gal (100 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Origin
- Found on shallow reef flats and slopes across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to the western Pacific.
- Family
- Lobophylliidae
Overview
Set it on the sand or low rock in a 100 liter or larger reef with moderate light and gentle to moderate flow, avoiding strong current that would strip its swollen tissue. Keep calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium in reef range with temperature 24 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4. It feeds well on meaty pieces of mysis or chopped seafood placed on the surface at night when its feeder tentacles come out. Leave a buffer around it because those night tentacles can sting corals placed too close.
In the wild
A fleshy large polyp brain coral whose surface folds into long winding valleys and ridges pressed tightly together, so the walls between grooves nearly touch. The thick tissue puffs up in the day and can show striking green, red, or rainbow contrast between the ridges and the valley floors. Colonies grow into rounded domes or flattened plates. It is the sinuous, closed-groove look that sets it apart from the more open, lobed brain corals.
Good to know
This coral was long sold under the genus Symphyllia, but molecular studies merged Symphyllia into Lobophyllia, so the accepted name is now Lobophyllia recta. It sits in the family Lobophylliidae alongside the lobed brain and acan corals. It is a large polyp stony species that hosts zooxanthellae and also captures food with its fleshy polyps.
Did you know
Rainbow specimens with contrasting red, green, and orange grooves are among the most prized brain corals in the hobby and trade under premium designer names.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- LiveAquaria Freshwater and saltwater fish, inverts and corals
- Saltwaterfish.com Marine fish, corals and inverts shipped overnight
- AlgaeBarn Copepods, macroalgae and captive-bred marine livestock
- Biota Captive-bred marine fish, corals and clams shipped direct
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Grooved Brain Coral?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Lobed Brain Coral
Lobophyllia9.8 in (25 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Donut Coral
Acanthophyllia deshayesiana9.8 in (25 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Acan Coral
Acanthastrea echinata7.9 in (20 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Chalice Coral
Echinophyllia13.8 in (35 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Acan Lord Coral
Micromussa lordhowensis5.9 in (15 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Scoly Coral
Homophyllia australis5.1 in (13 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)