Favia Brain Coral
Favia Brain Coral is the best-in-class choice among massive stony corals for hobbyists and reef farmers because of its exceptional hardiness, predictable dome growth form, and efficiency in captive propagation which lowers long-term stocking costs compared with more delicate species like Trachyphyllia. Technically it tolerates a wider range of water conditions and reaches display-sized colonies faster than Goniastrea, making it a cost-effective centerpiece for mixed reef systems.
Maze-like structure
Hardy starter coral
Maze-like structure
Hardy starter coral
Review Summary
"Reviewers consistently call Favia brain corals hardy and forgiving for long-term display tanks, praising their steady growth and attractive polyp structure, though they note occasional aggressive behavior toward nearby corals. Most buyers report easy care under moderate light and flow once acclimated."
Polyp-packed personality
Thick meaty polyps with maze-like corallites that tolerate a range of conditions.
Polyp-packed personality
Thick meaty polyps with maze-like corallites that tolerate a range of conditions.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Favia Brain Coral is the best-in-class choice among massive stony corals for hobbyists and reef farmers because of its exceptional hardiness, predictable dome growth form, and efficiency in captive propagation which lowers long-term stocking costs compared with more delicate species like Trachyphyllia. Technically it tolerates a wider range of water conditions and reaches display-sized colonies faster than Goniastrea, making it a cost-effective centerpiece for mixed reef systems.
Maze-like structure
Hardy starter coral
Polyp-packed personality
Thick meaty polyps with maze-like corallites that tolerate a range of conditions.
Performs well under moderate light and moderate flow, making it beginner-friendly.
Maze-like structure
Hardy starter coral
Polyp-packed personality
Thick meaty polyps with maze-like corallites that tolerate a range of conditions.
Performs well under moderate light and moderate flow, making it beginner-friendly.
$40-150 CAD
Lobophyllia Brain Coral
Lobophyllia Brain Coral is the market leader for large-polyp, vividly colored massive corals due to its strong consumer demand and high per-piece retail value, delivering superior aesthetic return on investment versus smaller Scolymia specimens. Technically it combines robust coloration with good handling resilience, enabling aquaculturists to justify premium pricing while maintaining solid propagation yields.
Bubble-like lobes
Colorful mouth display
Bubble-like lobes
Colorful mouth display
Review Summary
"Lobophyllia (Lobo) is frequently praised for its vivid colors and robust growth over extended periods, with many hobbyists valuing its resilience and dramatic look. Users commonly warn about night-time sweeper tentacles and recommend generous placement spacing to avoid damage to neighbors."
Aggressive showpiece
Large fleshy lobes and vivid color variants make it a striking display coral.
Aggressive showpiece
Large fleshy lobes and vivid color variants make it a striking display coral.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Lobophyllia Brain Coral is the market leader for large-polyp, vividly colored massive corals due to its strong consumer demand and high per-piece retail value, delivering superior aesthetic return on investment versus smaller Scolymia specimens. Technically it combines robust coloration with good handling resilience, enabling aquaculturists to justify premium pricing while maintaining solid propagation yields.
Bubble-like lobes
Colorful mouth display
Aggressive showpiece
Large fleshy lobes and vivid color variants make it a striking display coral.
Prefers moderate light and gentle flow and responds well to target feeding.
Bubble-like lobes
Colorful mouth display
Aggressive showpiece
Large fleshy lobes and vivid color variants make it a striking display coral.
Prefers moderate light and gentle flow and responds well to target feeding.
$80-300 CAD
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi stands out for hobbyists seeking dramatic single-polyp plates within the massive stony coral category, offering immediate visual impact and often commanding higher per-piece margins than colonial corals like Favia. Its unique morphology can improve exhibit value, though it typically requires more targeted flow and feeding to achieve the same low-maintenance profile as Goniastrea.
Single-polyp bloom
Flapping tentacle show
Single-polyp bloom
Flapping tentacle show
Review Summary
"Trachyphyllia geoffroyi is adored for its striking, fleshy appearance and fast visual impact in mature tanks, but long-term owners note it can be sensitive to rough handling, high flow, or sudden parameter changes. When kept in stable, low-to-moderate flow and proper lighting it performs very well."
Easy focal point
Solitary open-brain morphology with dramatic colors and shape for focal displays.
Easy focal point
Solitary open-brain morphology with dramatic colors and shape for focal displays.
Recreational Enjoyment
Self-Improvement & Personal Growth
Skill Development & Mastery
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi stands out for hobbyists seeking dramatic single-polyp plates within the massive stony coral category, offering immediate visual impact and often commanding higher per-piece margins than colonial corals like Favia. Its unique morphology can improve exhibit value, though it typically requires more targeted flow and feeding to achieve the same low-maintenance profile as Goniastrea.
Single-polyp bloom
Flapping tentacle show
Easy focal point
Solitary open-brain morphology with dramatic colors and shape for focal displays.
Thrives under low–moderate light and very gentle flow; benefits from meaty foods.
Single-polyp bloom
Flapping tentacle show
Easy focal point
Solitary open-brain morphology with dramatic colors and shape for focal displays.
Thrives under low–moderate light and very gentle flow; benefits from meaty foods.
$70-400 CAD
Scolymia australis
Scolymia australis is favored by collectors who want compact, intensely colored massive corals that perform well in smaller marine setups and under tighter budgets because individual specimens are often less expensive than Lobophyllia while delivering comparable visual appeal. Technically it offers straightforward husbandry with slower growth, making it a lower-maintenance, lower-capital option for displays focused on color rather than rapid propagation.
Bright carnival colors
Flat pancake shape
Bright carnival colors
Flat pancake shape
Review Summary
"Scolymia australis is widely praised for its showy single-polyp appearance and color intensity, though many reviewers mention slower growth and a need for stable water chemistry to thrive over time. Enthusiasts appreciate its display value but caution that it's less forgiving than some massive stony species."
Solo-center star
Flat solitary discs with bold color morphs that make them highly collectible.
Solo-center star
Flat solitary discs with bold color morphs that make them highly collectible.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Scolymia australis is favored by collectors who want compact, intensely colored massive corals that perform well in smaller marine setups and under tighter budgets because individual specimens are often less expensive than Lobophyllia while delivering comparable visual appeal. Technically it offers straightforward husbandry with slower growth, making it a lower-maintenance, lower-capital option for displays focused on color rather than rapid propagation.
Bright carnival colors
Flat pancake shape
Solo-center star
Flat solitary discs with bold color morphs that make them highly collectible.
Grows best on sand or flat rock under moderate light and moderate flow.
Bright carnival colors
Flat pancake shape
Solo-center star
Flat solitary discs with bold color morphs that make them highly collectible.
Grows best on sand or flat rock under moderate light and moderate flow.
$60-350 CAD
Goniastrea Brain Coral
Goniastrea Brain Coral is prized as a reliable, budget-friendly massive stony coral with wide tolerance to aquarium parameter swings, giving beginners and large-scale propagators a financially sensible alternative to higher-maintenance Trachyphyllia or premium Lobophyllia. Technically it fragments and grows well under varied conditions, reducing per-unit production costs and supporting scalable reef farming operations.
Honeycomb corallites
Dense plating growth
Honeycomb corallites
Dense plating growth
Review Summary
"Goniastrea brain corals are often described as reliable and hardy long-term additions, appreciated for their compact colonies and tolerance of a range of conditions. Reviewers note they are less flashy than some species but are steady growers and good for mixed reefs."
Long-lived stalwart
Dense colonies with small corallites that form bumpy dome shapes.
Long-lived stalwart
Dense colonies with small corallites that form bumpy dome shapes.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Goniastrea Brain Coral is prized as a reliable, budget-friendly massive stony coral with wide tolerance to aquarium parameter swings, giving beginners and large-scale propagators a financially sensible alternative to higher-maintenance Trachyphyllia or premium Lobophyllia. Technically it fragments and grows well under varied conditions, reducing per-unit production costs and supporting scalable reef farming operations.
Honeycomb corallites
Dense plating growth
Long-lived stalwart
Dense colonies with small corallites that form bumpy dome shapes.
Exceptionally hardy and tolerant of a wide range of lighting and flow conditions.
Honeycomb corallites
Dense plating growth
Long-lived stalwart
Dense colonies with small corallites that form bumpy dome shapes.
Exceptionally hardy and tolerant of a wide range of lighting and flow conditions.
$35-140 CAD