Symphyllia (Fleshy Brain Coral)
Looking to add massive texture and a classic, heavy-fleshed look to your reef? The Symphyllia, widely known as the Fleshy Brain Coral, is an absolute staple for Large Polyp Stony (LPS) coral lovers.
Renowned for their dense, continuous domes and deep, winding valleys, these corals bring a ton of visual weight to the bottom of your aquascape. During the day, they inflate their thick mantles, transforming into fleshy cushions that hide their stony skeletons. Available in a wide variety of solid and mottled colourations—typically featuring rich reds, deep greens, and metallic teals—they are incredibly eye-catching under both daylight and blue actinic spectrums.
At UKReef Hampshire, we love standard Symphyllia because they are robust, reliable growers that offer the exact same fascinating daytime inflation and nighttime feeding behaviours as the highest-end ultra pieces, but at a fantastic price point for the everyday reefer.
Quick Care Guide:
Care Level: Moderate. They require a stable, mature aquarium with consistent Alkalinity, Calcium, and Magnesium to support their heavy, dense skeletons.
Temperament: Aggressive. They pack a potent sting and will send out sweeper tentacles at night to defend their territory. Ensure they have a clear perimeter away from other corals.
Placement: Bottom. They thrive when placed directly on the sandbed or on a smooth, flat piece of rockwork low down in the tank. Avoid placing them on sharp or jagged rocks, which can puncture their flesh when they inflate.
Lighting: Low to Moderate. They naturally prefer the lower light levels found deeper on the reef. Blasting them with high-intensity light will cause them to shrink and wash out their colours.
Water Flow: Low to Moderate. They need a gentle, broad flow—just enough to stop detritus and sand from building up in their deep valleys. Strong, direct wavemaker flow will push their heavy tissue into their internal skeleton, causing severe tearing and recession.
Feeding: Highly Recommended. Symphyllia are phenomenal, greedy eaters! Turn off the flow 1-2 times a week and gently target-feed the valleys with meaty foods like Mysis shrimp, Krill, or dedicated LPS pellets. Watching their feeding tentacles react is incredibly rewarding and will fuel rapid growth.