Brain Coral

About

Found across shallow to mid-depth reef environments throughout the Indo-West Pacific, Dipsastraea laddi is a large-polyp stony coral belonging to the family Merulinidae. Its range stretches from the eastern Indian Ocean out across tropical Pacific waters, where it occupies reef zones from the surface down to around 40 meters. Like other members of its genus, it forms a massive, boulder-like colony structure with well-defined corallites arranged in a pattern typical of the faviid-type brain corals. Each polyp sitting in its own distinct valley or cup rather than sharing walls with neighbors in a continuous meandering ridge. Coloration tends toward earthy greens, browns, and golds depending on the zooxanthellae present and the local light environment. In the aquarium, this coral falls into intermediate territory. Not a beginner's first coral, but not an especially demanding species either. It appreciates moderate, consistent water flow and moderate lighting, and it benefits from the stability that comes with a well-established system. Placement on the rockwork rather than the sandbed is generally preferable. Like most large-polyp stony corals, it can extend sweeper tentacles at night, so giving it reasonable space from neighbors is a sensible precaution.