Open Brain keepers

[125G's]

I just purchased a red open brain coral (T. geoffroyi) today. It's rather plain looking, but appears to be in good health. I see no recession of tissue anywhere at all. I've read up on it in Eric Borneman's book and believe I have the conditions necessary for it to thrive. I do have a couple of unanswered questions however.

Q1: Is there a mouth or will the food be ingested anywhere in the soft tissue of the coral? I understand meaty foods are necessary for this coral to do well.

Q2: Will the color brighten as it becomes established in my aquarium? (Assumes good water parameters, water movement and lighting of course!) I do realize some are brown in color so there may be a bit of wishful thinking here

Thanks!

[Casey]

This is mine almost a year old have never feed it just good water and bright light it has colored up nicely great coral,if you have a pic post it Casey

[125G's]

As I said it's plain, nothing like your's Casey.

[Casey]

well give him good water med flow and some good light keep calcium levels up and he will brighten up in time. Casey

[Geoff]

they do have mouths, you can see one in Casey's pic. they mainly use it for water flow when expanding and contracting. i had one many years ago, and Casey's done all that i have done, and it did great for many years, i lost it in a move.

G~

[mikeMersot]

You can see the tentacles exposed in this pic, you can feed it anywhere in the central region, and it will suck the food in. Feeding isnt really necessary though, I feed mine raw shrimp once in a great while, once a month at the very most probably. yours will color up and fluff up with good lighting, It seems to really appreciate actinic lighting, being a deeper water coral. mine doesnt like strong current at all. Very hardy coral in my experience.