The Maze Brain Coral is a large polyp stony (LPS) that is often referred to as a Brain Coral, Closed Brain Coral, Ridge Coral, Worm Coral, and Maze Brain Coral. It has fleshy polyps that hide its calcareous skeleton, and is found in many shades of red, green, orange, gray, or brown. The Maze Brain Coral resembles a brain, due to the presence of crevices and ridges. Due to its hardy nature, it is very easy to maintain and that makes the Maze Brain Coral a popular choice amongst the beginner aquarists and expert aquarist, as well as a valuable addition to any reef tank. Keep the Maze Brain Coral in a moderately strong current that does not blast the coral. It should be kept away from neighboring corals to avoid the stinging behavior, because it may sting them. The Maze Brain Coral can be aggressive towards other corals and therefore keeping it at distant place is recommended. It is nocturnal, and extends out its tentacles during the night. It grows very quickly and consumes lots of calcium present in the aquarium for its growth. Therefore, additional traces of calcium and strontium work wonders to the growth of this coral, and hence we advice you to add it. The Maze Brain Coral thrives well in temperature range of 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit, and pH of 8.10-8.40. It is a carnivore in nature and filter feeding at least twice per week is recommended. The food may include small marine invertebrates, Mysis Shrimp, meaty bits, zooplankton and phytoplankton for its growth and development. The Maze Brain Coral is photosynthetic in nature and manufactures food and energy using the zooxanthellae that dwells inside its tissue. It is very easy to grow and propagate in a tank, and therefore makes a very good addition to any tank.
Corals are part of a biological group known as Cnidaria. Most Cnidaria have a mouth, or mouths, that opens into one big body cavity. Due to a lack of a true digestive system, this cavity acts in its place and after the food is broken down the nutrients are then sent through the rest of the body as food. There is also no excretory system; therefore the waste is sent back through the mouth or secreted into the surrounding water.Tentacles of varying size will usually surround the mouth of Cnidaria. Most cnidarias have tentacles with stinging cells that can shoot tiny poison darts into prey or even be used as a defense mechanism. Some corals lack tentacles and instead cover themselves with a thin layer of mucus and use that to collect bacteria and plankton as food. Some corals even use both of these methods. Cnidarias can be either an individual animal or members of a complex colony. These Colony Corals share the food and nutrients taken in by each individual.Corals have tiny living organisms that actually live in their tissue. These are called Zooxanthellae and they are the reason why such strong lighting is needed in the saltwater aquarium. These algae-like creatures provide the coral with oxygen and other nutrients that are produced during photosynthesis. During this process, the Zooxanthellae take up Carbon Dioxide and provide nutrients to the Coral.Corals can use two different types of defense mechanisms. One of which is a sweeper tentacle wherein the coral reaches its tentacles out to try to damage another coral with nematocysts. The other is when the coral releases a minute amount of toxin into the water to poison another coral within certain proximity. Most Corals, especially Hard Corals, should not be placed within reach of another Coral.
