The Red Open Brain Coral has fleshy polyps that generally hide its skeleton. It resembles a brain, due to the presence of crevices and ridges. The Red Open 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 Red Open Brain Coral a valuable addition to any reef tank. You need to provide space to the Red Open Brain Coral so it can spread and flourish itself well in the reef tank. Keep the Red Open Brain Coral away from neighboring corals to avoid the stinging behavior, because it may sting them. Brain Coral is also commonly called Honeycomb Coral, Pineapple Coral, Moon Coral, Closed Brain Coral, Brain Coral Closed Pineapple, Star Coral and Worm Coral. The ridges present on the coral serve as the habitat for other animals. It features sweeper tentacles that extend well beyond its base when open. The Red Open Brain Coral can be aggressive towards other corals and therefore keeping it at a distant place is recommended. It is nocturnal, and extends out its tentacles during the night. The Red Open Brain Coral thrives well in temperature range of 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit, and pH of 8.10-8.40. It is a carnivore 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.˙Additional traces of calcium and strontium works wonders to the growth of this coral, and hence it is advised to be added. ˙The Red Open Brain Coral needs low water movement in the marine aquarium it inhabits. It can be kept along with other corals, so it is considered reef safe.
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 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 Cnidaria have tentacles with stinging cells that can shoot tiny poison darts into their prey or can 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. Cnidaria can either be 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 "Hard Corals" should not be placed within reach of another coral.
