Brain Coral

About

Brain coral (Pseudodiploria strigosa) is one of the most recognizable corals in the hobby, and for good reason. Those convoluted, labyrinthine ridges winding across a rounded colony look exactly like what the name suggests. This is a large polyp stony coral native to the Western Atlantic, found throughout the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico at depths ranging from the shallows down to around 45 meters. In the wild it is a significant reef-builder, forming rounded, dome-shaped colonies that can grow quite large over decades. Colors tend toward earthy greens, tans, and yellows, occasionally with brighter green fluorescence depending on light conditions. In the aquarium it is considered a reasonable choice for reef keepers who are still building their experience, as it is more forgiving than many LPS corals and adapts well to typical reef conditions with moderate lighting and moderate water movement. It does appreciate stable water quality, as you would expect from any stony coral, and should be given enough space on the rockwork so neighboring corals cannot reach it. Growth is slow, which is typical for brain corals, so do not expect dramatic changes quickly. Overall it is a solid, long-lived centerpiece coral that brings genuine reef character to a Western Atlantic or mixed reef display.