some brains like Trachyphyllia like to inflate themselves quite large, sometimes to clean themselves or move to a better area sorta by hovering. they can easily pierce their bodies or undersides on the live rock. if a brain gets damaged it is very difficult to bring back.

Gerald,

As Willow mentioned they require moderate to low flow this is because this coral is usually found on sandbeds in lagoons or shallow reefs.

I have a large open green brain and a few donut's all of which are on my sandbed, they seem to prefer more space, lower flow, and moderate light.

If your's doesn't look too happy then you can alway's lower it to the sand, however if you have the room it wouldn't hurt to place it there IMO. I might also mention that brains and other large tissue corals and clams found on the sandbed do like sandy areas to an extent. If they are constantly inflating all the time to expel sand they won't be happy either, as the coral can actually die of exhausting too much energy to clean itself.

My brain(red open brain) has its skeleton placed into a small slot/cave in the side/top of a flat rock, and its a smooth rock. The tissue inflates around the edges of the cave. It has been happy in there for a long time. Its always well expanded and will often have its feeder tentacles our during the day aswell as at night, while my acans only put theirs out at night. It eats very quickly and willingly.

Chris

Thats really interesting. He's been happy sitting on his ledge and is inflating and extending tentacles. But I do have plenty of room on the sand so I will lower him down there. :biggrin: