Get A Brain! Which Genus Of Brain Coral Should I buy??

[C_Reefer]

Hello LPS Lovers!

I've got a 24 gallon mixed reef which is sorely lacking LPS but has plenty of softies and some SPS corals. However I am really looking into getting a brain coral, as they just look totally wicked and have a kaleidoscope of colors.

However I am wondering which genus of Brain I should get, as I know there are several.

The frag would have a rock to itself to take over and get that round, brain-fold look. I am looking for a genus that has the perfect balance of that true "brain" look, ease of care, color variety, and reasonable cost.

 

[N.Sreefer]

My favorite is the Trachyphyllia genus this is mine not long after I added it to my tank (forgive the ugly algae in the pic this was before I added an ats)

 

[MaxTremors]

I am also a big fan of trachyphyllias, but if you want a more encrusting type, a nice favites, goniastrea, Dipsastraea, platygyra, or even a micromussa or blastomussa could be cool. Even calaustrea (candy cane) will form a big dome and look like a brain coral when fully grown out.

 

[C_Reefer]

My favorite is the Trachyphyllia genus this is mine not long after I added it to my tank (forgive the ugly algae in the pic this was before I added an ats)

Hey man at this rate I think you may just have to be Jesus Christ to not have any pest algae. That Trachy looks beautiful!

 

[C_Reefer]

I am also a big fan of trachyphyllias, but if you want a more encrusting type, a nice favites, goniastrea, Dipsastraea, platygyra, or even a micromussa or blastomussa could be cool. Even calaustrea (candy cane) will form a big dome and look like a brain coral when fully grown out

I've got my eye on either a favia or platygyra from the site I get coral from, I think I'll go with one of those.

 

[MaxTremors]

I've got my eye on either a favia or platygyra from the site I get coral from, I think I'll go with one of those.

I don’t think there are any true Favias in the hobby, there were a bunch of reclassifications and now the only two true Favias are Caribbean species and there is no stony coral collection in the Caribbean, all of the ‘Favias’ in the hobby are usually favites, goniastrea, or dipsastraea. But they are still usually referred to as ‘Favias’ by most vendors.

 

[Fishfreak2009]

I don’t think there are any true Favias in the hobby, there were a bunch of reclassifications and now the only two true Favias are Caribbean species and there is no stony coral collection in the Caribbean, all of the ‘Favias’ in the hobby are usually favites, goniastrea, or dipsastraea. But they are still usually referred to as ‘Favias’ by most vendors.

I like the Favites and Platygyra species. There are some gorgeous ones out there. I picked these up from various AquaSD purchases and all are thriving in my tanks.

 

[MaxTremors]

I like the Favites and Platygyra species. There are some gorgeous ones out there. I picked these up from various AquaSD purchases and all are thriving in my tanks.

Yeah, there’s tons of variety, pretty much any color you can think of. They’ve generally always grown well for me too. I think a lot of people think they’re kind of ‘basic’, but they’re gorgeous and it’s really rewarding to watch them grow into a big dome.