Purple Trachyphyllia

The open brain coral, Trachyphyllia geoffroyi, is a classic large-polyp stony coral that has been a mainstay in the hobby for decades. It is a free-living coral, often found on its own in sandy or muddy lagoon environments. This particular colour form is a striking deep purple, adding a distinct look to any collection.

In a home reef, the Trachyphyllia will inflate with water to several times its skeletal size, displaying its fleshy, folded lobes. The surface texture is smooth, with a vibrant purple that can appear deeper or brighter depending on the light spectrum. At night, it may extend short feeder tentacles, but it is generally a peaceful animal. Its shape is often circular or slightly folded into a figure-eight.

For best care, place your Trachyphyllia on the sandbed. They do not appreciate intense lighting, preferring a low to moderate PAR range of 75-150. Flow should be gentle and indirect, just enough to keep the surface clear of detritus without causing the tissue to pull back from the skeleton. While photosynthetic, they benefit from direct feeding once or twice a week with meaty foods like mysis shrimp or chopped prawn. Maintain stable water parameters with calcium around 420-440 ppm, alkalinity at 8-9 dKH, and magnesium at 1300-1400 ppm. Give it plenty of space, as it can expand significantly and may release short sweeper tentacles.

The open brain’s solitary nature and preference for the sandbed make it an excellent specimen for the bottom of a mature reef tank. It doesn't need to be integrated into the rockwork, instead serving as a focal point on the substrate. Its care requirements are straightforward, making it a good choice for those who have mastered water stability and are looking for a unique LPS coral.

This is not a WYSIWYG listing; you'll receive a specimen of the same species with similar size and colouration to the one pictured, hand-picked for health and colour.

We take livestock seriously. That's why we don't sell anything we wouldn't be comfortable putting in our own tank.

As we are direct from source, we import and sell direct to the public. This means you can buy with confidence knowing EMA prides itself on excellent handling and conditioning protocols.

Fish

All our fish held in a quarantine system for a minimum of 3 weeks. During this time, regular water changes are performed, and twice daily (or sometimes more) feedings are performed.

Copper is dosed and checked twice a day for ich and velvet.

During this treatment fish are given formalin baths for brooklynella and a minimum of 3 praziquantel doses is performed for flukes.

Coral

Our coral is quarantined for a minimum of 3 weeks, just like fish. During this time, regular water changes are performed, water testing done, and once a month a Fauna Marin ICP Total is performed.

Corals are inspected for pests/general health and are provided with a pest dip once a week for at least 3 weeks.

If we see signs of pests, the quarantine period is extended and/or additional dips are performed

If coral is bleached/unhealthy, it will remain in quarantine until healthy enough to sell.