The Moon Brain Coral has fleshy polyps that generally hide its skeleton. It resembles a brain, due to the presence of crevices and ridges. The Brain Coral becomes a popular choice amongst the beginner aquarists. Due to its hardy skeleton, it is very easy to maintain and that makes the Moon Brain Coral a valuable addition to any reef tank. You need to provide space to the Moon Brain Coral so that it can spread and flourish in the reef tank. Keep the Moon Brain Coral away from neighboring corals to avoid the stinging behavior, because it may sting them. The Moon Brain Coral is also commonly called the Honeycomb Coral, Pineapple Coral, Moon Coral, Star Coral and Worm Coral. The ridges present on the coral actually serve as the habitat for other animals to live. It features sweeper tentacles that extend well beyond its base when open. The Moon Brain Coral can be aggressive towards other corals and therefore keeping it at distance is recommended. It is nocturnal, and extends out its tentacles during the night. The 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 foods 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.˙Additional traces of calcium and strontium works wonders for the growth of this coral. You should be vigilant towards the over-growth of algae as it might cause damage to this coral.
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 the lack of a true digestivesystem, this cavity acts in its place and after the food is broken down thenutrients are then sent through the rest of the body as food. There is also noexcretory system; therefore the waste is sent back through the mouth or secretedinto the surrounding water.Tentacles of varying size will usually surround the mouth of Cnidaria. Most Cnidariahave tentacles with stinging cells that can shoot tiny poison darts into their preyor can even be used as a defense mechanism. Some corals lack tentacles and insteadcover themselves with a thin layer of mucus and use that to collect bacteria andplankton as food. Some corals even use both of these methods. Cnidaria can either bean individual animal or members of a complex colony. These "Colony Corals" share thefood and nutrients taken in by each individual.Corals have tiny living organisms that actually live in their tissue. These arecalled zooxanthellae and they are the reason why such strong lighting is needed inthe saltwater aquarium. These algae-like creatures provide the coral with oxygen andother nutrients that are produced during photosynthesis. During this process, thezooxanthellae take up carbon dioxide and provide nutrients to the coral.Corals can use two different types of defense mechanisms. One of which is a sweepertentacle wherein the coral reaches its tentacles out to try to damage another coralwith nematocysts. The other is when the coral releases a minute amount of toxin intothe water to poison another coral within certain proximity. Most "Hard Corals"should not be placed within reach of another coral.
