Brain Food: What is the feeding mechanism of Trachyphyllia coral?

[Peace River]

Brain Food: What is the feeding mechanism of Trachyphyllia coral?

This week we have been talking about brain corals so let’s talk about how they feed, and specifically, how trachyphyllia feed. Are they filter feeders, suspension feeders, or do they feed via photosynthesis? If one or more of these options don’t apply to trachys, then what other corals feed that way? Maybe most importantly, what is your experience with feeding trachys? Please tell us what you feed your trachy and share any tips that you may have on providing a healthy diet for brain corals.

Photo by @Queen City Corals

Note: As an experiment, today's poll question was generated by AI software.

 

[coral reeftank]

I've had a fair amount of brain corals during my time in the hobby, and I can definitely say like most other LPS corals they benefit greatly from direct feedings. My oldest piece will be around 7 years old in my care soon. I try to feed my brains about once a week, either pellets or frozen foods. The day after feeding they become extremely puffy. While they are photosynthetic, I believe feeding them directly can aid in their long-term health in a reef tank.

 

[Court_Appointed_Hypeman]

I hear Fish is brain food

 

[ReefGeezer]

I chose "All of the above" but would not have included filter feeding.

 

[waver]

I love to feed small meaty food to mine. The feeding response is very cool to watch in real time. Agreed they really swell/look happy after a good meal

 

[redfishbluefish]

I have the cousin of a Trach....a Wellso, and it puts out polyps that appear to move the food to it's mouth, located in the center of the coral....similar to an anemone. I apologize for the poor quality photos because I have a cheap camera...

Here it is thinking about putting out it's polyps.

And here it is with polyps full out, more typical with lights out.

 

[encrustingacro]

I have the cousin of a Trach....a Wellso, and it puts out polyps that appear to move the food to it's mouth, located in the center of the coral....similar to an anemone. I apologize for the poor quality photos because I have a cheap camera...

Here it is thinking about putting out it's polyps.

And here it is with polyps full out, more typical with lights out.

1. That's a lobophyllia, not a trachyphyllia (or wellso)
2. Wellsophyllia is a synonym of Trachyphyllia

 

[Eienna]

1. That's a lobophyllia, not a trachyphyllia (or wellso)
2. Wellsophyllia is a synonym of Trachyphyllia

I can understand #2 because up until recently they were considered separate. I'd say the majority haven't made the jump yet. As for 1, how do you tell the difference? I'm interested.

 

[encrustingacro]

I can understand #2 because up until recently they were considered separate. I'd say the majority haven't made the jump yet. As for 1, how do you tell the difference? I'm interested.

The flesh texture looks more like that of a lobo than a trachy. Trachyphyllias also have larger, flatter mantles and don't have this color scheme of purple with a green concentric ring.

 

[Eienna]

The flesh texture looks more like that of a lobo than a trachy. Trachyphyllias also have larger, flatter mantles and don't have this color scheme of purple with a green concentric ring.

Ahhh, okay, thank you!

 

[code4]

I have had a Trachyphyllia for around 4 years now. I feed mine whenever it extends its polyps. My husband seems to feed it more often, a little bit of whatever he is feeding our fish. It puffs up to several times its size. It does appear to like lower flow than the rest of my tank. So, I put a plexi glass "jail" over it. A cover made from plexi glass with dozens of holes drilled in it. It swelled so much one time that it lifted it clean off! It normally only takes up about half the space.