Platygyra corals are a Large Polyp Stony (LPS) coral commonly referred to as a Platy, Maze Brain or Worm Brain. An undemanding coral, excellent for all levels of reef aquatics, Platygyra corals are hardy and easy to maintain in the reef aquarium. Found in the waters of the Indo-Pacific through the Great Barrier Reef. Platygyra corals colors vary from pastel shades of purple, pink, blue, gray, yellow and toxic green with contrasting fluorescent ridges and valleys. Its genus name, Platygyra, was derived from the Greek words platys (flat) and gyros (wide circle), which describes the maze-like channels in its calcareous skeleton. If you own a reef aquarium, the Platygyra Coral would be a great coral worth considering.
Difficulty The Maze brain also called a Worm Brain is a hardy and easy to care for coral making it a great beginner coral.
Aggressiveness It’s a semi-aggressive coral that extends sweeper tentacles at night, and should have a some amount of space between it and its neighbors.
Water-flow
Like most other LPS corals, Platygyra brains require moderate waterflow.
Lighting
The Coral requires moderate lighting (PAR 150-250). T5's, Metal Halides, or LED's can all grow Trachyphyllia geoffroyi corals when the proper PAR levels are provided. We recommend a 14-20K color spectrum for best coloration. If it will be exposed to brighter lighting it needs to be acclimated to the high lights in the tank slowly, as it is not usually exposed to intense lighting in the ocean because of its depth. Start out with low lighting, positioning the polyps to face out (versus upwards) and have it shaded by rock or something within the tank. The lighting can gradually get stronger over time, but make the changes very slowly.
Tank Recommendations
A mature, well-fed live rock/reef environment is what is needed for your Coral, along with some fish for organic matter production, and dissolved organics. Care must be taken when placing the coral in the aquarium so that nothing will damage the soft tissue. When placing them in the aquarium place them on the substrate or mid-way in the aquarium where they will receive the most direct light. Platygyra Corals can become shocked and potentially bleached (a rapid die-off of the algae in its tissue) after rapid changes in the intensity of its lighting. Always acclimate carefully, over many weeks time if you are increasing the light intensity. Have an area of substrate that is free from rocks or other sharp objects to put your coral on. Placing it in rock work can cause the flesh to be lacerated, leading to disease and death.
Diet and Feeding
In captivity, the coral can be fed at night when the feeding tentacles are out, but they will come out during the day as well, if it senses food in the water. The most important care that must be exercised for a long lasting and healthy coral is daily feeding. It will benefit from additional food in the form of micro-plankton or brine shrimp fed in the evening while its tentacles are visible. Larger pieces than a typical Brine Shrimp are not digestible, and although the animal "accepts" it, it will regurgitate it up later in the night. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water. Expect your Platygyra to produce a large amount of mucus. In very normal.
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