Platygyra spp. | S

Platygyra spp., commonly referred to as Brain Coral, is a captivating large polyp stony (LPS) coral prized for its distinctive maze-like skeletal patterns. This small-sized specimen is suitable for marine aquarists seeking to add texture and visual interest to their reef tanks.

Lighting: Platygyra spp. thrives under moderate lighting conditions. LED or T5 lighting systems providing a PAR range of approximately 50-150 µmol/m²/s are ideal to maintain vibrant colours without causing bleaching.

Water Flow: Moderate, indirect water flow is recommended to ensure adequate nutrient delivery while preventing tissue damage. Avoid strong direct currents that can stress the coral.

Placement: Position this coral on stable rockwork in the middle to lower regions of the aquarium. Ensure sufficient spacing from neighbouring corals to prevent aggressive interactions, as Platygyra spp. can extend sweeper tentacles.

Care Level: Suitable for intermediate hobbyists with some experience in maintaining LPS corals. Regular water quality monitoring and stable parameters are essential.

Diet: Primarily photosynthetic via symbiotic zooxanthellae, but benefits from occasional target feeding of meaty foods such as mysis shrimp or coral-specific liquid foods to promote growth and colour.

Reef Compatibility: Yes, with adequate spacing from other corals to avoid aggression.

Additional Notes: Maintain stable water parameters with temperature between 24-27°C, salinity at 1.023-1.025 SG, and calcium levels around 400-450 ppm. Avoid sudden changes in lighting or flow to reduce stress.