Please help with this brain id???

[fighton03]

I have had this brain for about 6 years. please help me with the id. the color is not a good representation. the middle is more green and the under side is green as well. It is about 8 inches across when fully inflated. Thanks.


http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s180/fighton03/IM000202.jpg

[Hormigaquatica]

Can you get a photo of it closed up? It looks a lot like a Lobophyllia or Symphyllia, but tough to tell with it being as open as it is.

[fighton03]

Thank you very much for you help. I took two night pictures. Let me know if there are other particular details that I may be able to photo. the camera is not great, but I'll do what I can. I just want to give this coral the best life possible:)

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s180/fighton03/IM000206.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s180/fighton03/IM000207.jpg

[fighton03]

Just trying to figure out how to actually show the photos in post.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s180/fighton03/IM000207.jpg

[fighton03]

looks like I have to figure out how to resize now:)

[Hormigaquatica]

Well, to make a good ID, you actually need to see exposed skeleton. But, from the pics youve got here, Im willing to bet Lobophyllia. Symphyllia is still a possibility, but honestly, whichever genus it turns out to be, the care is very similar, and both are normally quite hardy. Yours is clearly doing well, so whatever youve been doing- keep it up.

[fighton03]

Thankfully I don't have any exposed skeleton to photo:) Thank you very much for your help and response.

Any particular reason that it doesn't look like any Lobophyllia photos or any other brains that I have seen?

[Hormigaquatica]

Hmm.. not sure why that would be. Honestly, it looks like a pretty classic Lobophyllia hemprichii, although the photos you have posted are all with it showing a feeding response, which does make it look a bit different than they usually do. Here are a few others of what I believe are the same type- the first is one in my tank, the others were found online (the color you have is a less common variant).

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Aguabeast/88%20jan%202006/PinkLobophyllia.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Aguabeast/Chat%20Posting%20Photos/Lobo1.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Aguabeast/Chat%20Posting%20Photos/lobo3.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Aguabeast/Chat%20Posting%20Photos/lobo2.jpg

[fighton03]

Ahhhhh, that is more like it. Most of the ones I have seen look like your middle two pictures. I have never seen mine quite so "rolled". It always has the flat "sharp" edges like the first and last. Is that a result of it needing food or just its general preference?

[Hormigaquatica]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9855274#post9855274 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fighton03
Is that a result of it needing food or just its general preference?

Its just a sign that it is trying to feed. If your lighting is sufficient then you dont Have to provide extra food, but it will inflate much nicer and grow a bit quicker if you do. I feed mine pretty much every night, just because I have several Tubastrea and Duncanopsammia around it that Im feeding anyhow, so it gets an extra shot. I normally suggest 2-3 times per week with a medium sized meaty food (I use mysis a lot, once in a while some chopped Krill if there is leftover from the angelfish).

[fighton03]

Thank you for all your help! Any tips on helping candy cane grow better:)

[Hormigaquatica]

Haha.. wish I did. Ive had mine for several years, and its the slowest growing one Ive ever seen. I feed it probably twice a week, and while each individual polyp swells up to a nice size, it virtually never divides... stupid coral.. lol

[fighton03]

that is encouraging....Mine has gone from 2 to 4 VERY slowly in about 4 years!!!! At least they are healthy plump and happy!