Symphyllia Brain Coral (LPS) (Symphyllia sp.)

Symphyllia Brain Coral (LPS) Symphyllia sp.
Name	Symphyllia Brain Coral (LPS)
Name Lat.	Symphyllia sp.
Family	Brain Corals
Family lat.	Mussidae
Order	Stony Corals
Order lat.	Scleractinia
Origin	Indo-West Pacific, Red Sea
Diet	Autotrophic, planktivore
pH	8.1-8.4
Hardness	8-10 °KH
Lighting	High
Current	Strong
Behavior	Semi-aggressive
Keeping	Colony
Care Level	Difficult
Life Span	N/A
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EC Annex B
Metric Units
Size	< 50 cm
Temperature	24-28 °C
Salinity	33-36 ‰
Aquarium	200 l
US Units
Size	< 20"
Temperature	75-82 °F
Salinity	1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium	50 gal

Distribution and habitat

Symphyllia sp. belongs to the group of LPS (Large Polyp Scleractinia). This reef-building coral is widely distributed in the Red Sea, tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans. It occurs according to its species and origin in different colors and growth forms in colonies up to 50 cm in diameter at all areas of the reef.

Maintenance

They should be positioned in a place with high light intensity and strong, alternating current. Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free substrates should be used as substrate

To ensure water quality, filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. It is recommended that live stones be used to set up the aquarium. The bacteria living in the porous stones act as a biological filter. The lighting must correspond to the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals

Salinity: 33-36 ‰	pH value: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness: 8-12 °KH	Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l
calcium content: 420-450 mg/l	Nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l
Magnesium content: 1.250-1.350 mg/l	phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l

Regular addition of trace elements, especially calcium and strontium, is recommended. For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention shall be paid to consistently good water quality and water values.

Diet

Zooxanthellae, which are unicellular symbiotic algae, live in their tissues and provide them with assimilation products of their photosynthesis (high light intensity). The zooxanthellae promote growth and provide additional food to the plankton and small particles, which are collected in large quantities from the water current. Thus, in addition to the food produced in the aquarium during fish feeding (mysis, krill, Artemia, etc.), commercial supplementary food in the form of phyto- and zooplankton should be offered regularly

Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Behaviour and compatibility

They should not be kept with fish that consider their polyps as food (e.g. angelfish or butterflyfish). With other corals they are only conditionally compatible, sufficient distance to other animals must be kept, since they nettle strongly.

Reproduction and breeding

In nature, reproduction is sexual via marine larval stages. In the aquarium they can be propagated well by fragmentation. Fragments are fixed in the reef structure, e.g. with a good two-component coral glue (epoxy).

Species protection

Species protection: WA Appendix II; EU Appendix B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe! Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Important

They come in different shapes and colors (green, yellow, pink, blue) according to their species and origin, mostly fluorescent

The additional illumination with actinic light (short-wave, violet-blue light) is very beneficial for their growth (zooxanthellae). A calcium reactor and a magnesium dosing pump are recommended for the necessary uniform supply of calcium carbonate and magnesium. Too high temperature, insufficient lighting or current as well as sudden change of water values can lead to tissue decay (RTN - rapid tissue necrosis). When purchasing, look for pressure marks or other tissue damage. Newly introduced animals must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium

If different species are kept together, make sure that fish and invertebrates match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the ecological needs of all species kept together. Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: petdata

Source: VERON (2000): Corals of the world, Australian Institute of Marine Science; ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch