P8- Warpaint Trachyphyllia- WYSIWYG
Trachyphyllia is a type of large polyp stony (LPS) coral, also known as an open brain coral, known for its beautiful, often brightly coloured, and fleshy tissue that covers a rough, skeletonised base. These free-living corals are found in a range of colours, such as green, yellow, and red, and are prized for their diverse and intense coloration in reef aquariums. While relatively easy to care for, they require specific conditions, including moderate lighting and flow, and must be placed with ample space from other corals due to their semi-aggressive nature and ability to sting.
Morphology:
Their name comes from Greek words for "rough" and "leaf," reflecting their appearance on the sandy bottom. They often have a distinctive figure-of-eight or folded shape.
Lighting:
They require moderate, stable lighting, with too much light potentially causing bleaching.
Water Flow:
Moderate flow rates are preferred, as excessive currents can damage the coral by causing its sharp skeleton to puncture its soft tissue.
Photosynthesis:
Trachyphyllia corals are photosynthetic and derive much of their food from symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) within their tissues.
Target Feeding:
They benefit from regular target feeding with micro-plankton or invertebrate foods, but care should be taken not to overfeed or feed a coral while it is still digesting previous food.
