Trachyphyllia Corals

Trachyphyllia geoffroyi

💧Low to Moderate Flow

☀️Low to Moderate Light

⭐Beginner to Intermediate Difficulty

Trachyphyllia, often called Open Brain Coral or just Trachy, is a fleshy, large polyp stony (LPS) coral known for its bold, inflated appearance and vivid colors. With rippling tissue that inflates during the day and a dazzling palette that can include metallic greens, deep reds, golds, and neon highlights, Trachys bring a peaceful, organic feel to the reef. These corals are typically placed on the sandbed, where their round, meaty form expands fully under gentle flow. Despite their showy appearance, Trachy corals are hardy and beginner-friendly. Though once divided into multiple species and genera like Wellsophyllia, all Trachy corals are now recognized as Trachyphyllia geoffroyi.

Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Cnidaria
Class	Anthozoa
Order	Scleractinia
Family	Lobophylliidae
Genus	Trachyphyllia
Species	Trachyphyllia geoffroyi

Trachyphyllia is now considered to have only one recognized species: Trachyphyllia geoffroyi. In the past, some corals were classified separately as Wellsophyllia radiata, but current taxonomy places them all under T. geoffroyi. You may still see the name 'Wellsophyllia' used in the hobby, especially to describe certain color forms or growth styles, but it refers to the same coral.

Quick Care Tips

Lighting

Low to Moderate

Low

Moderate

High

Flow

Low to Moderate

Low

Moderate

High

Difficulty

Beginner to Intermediate

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I place Trachyphyllia in my tank?

Trachyphyllia corals do best on the sandbed or a flat rock in areas with lower flow and indirect lighting. Avoid placing them near aggressive corals or in high-flow zones where their delicate tissue can be damaged.

Can Trachyphyllia be fed?

Yes. Trachyphyllia have large mouths and benefit from supplemental feeding with meaty foods like mysis shrimp, LPS pellets, or finely chopped seafood. Target feeding helps both coloration and growth.

Why is my Trachyphyllia turning white?

If your Trachyphyllia is turning white, it's likely experiencing bleaching — a stress response where the coral expels its symbiotic zooxanthellae. Common causes include too much light, sudden lighting changes, poor water quality, or high temperatures. Trachys prefer moderate to low light and gentle flow, so check for recent changes in placement, lighting intensity, or tank parameters. If bleaching starts, move the coral to a lower-light area and ensure stable, clean water to help it recover. Increasing its target feeding can slowly help its color return.

Marketplace Overview

Current Listings: 59
Lowest Price: $35
Highest Price: $799
Median Price: $150

Shop over 59 Trachyphyllia Corals

Top Sellers

Queen City Corals 22 Trachyphyllia Listings	22 listings
Corals.com 13 Trachyphyllia Listings	13 listings
SeaCo Corals 6 Trachyphyllia Listings	6 listings
World Wide Corals 5 Trachyphyllia Listings	5 listings
Austin Aqua Farms 5 Trachyphyllia Listings	5 listings
Reef Exclusive 3 Trachyphyllia Listings	3 listings

How to Choose a Healthy Trachyphyllia Coral

Coloration:
Look for vibrant, saturated colors such as red, green, orange, or rainbow morphs. Dull or faded colors may indicate stress or poor health.
Tissue Health:
Choose specimens with full, inflated tissue and no visible skeleton. Recession, tears, or exposed white areas are signs of damage or disease.
Inflation:
A healthy Trachy should appear inflated and fleshy during the day. While some deflation is normal during transport or at night, persistently deflated tissue could signal stress or disease.

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