I need a brain examination

[Reefmack]

Actually I need two - one for me for getting into such as expensive & time consuming as a marine aquarium (just kidding - it's worth it), and a second for an open brain I picked up the other day.

I thought I knew just enough to think I can care for this coral, but now I'm finding I have a few questions.

Can anyone tell me the type and whether it's photosynthetic and/or needs a feeding of something at least occasionally? If so whats the best food for this type - I have Phytomax and frozen mysis, but does it need something different (if anything).

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s205/mackwork/Brain1.jpg

The coral was fragged onto a long spike (about 4") of what almost looks live live rock:

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s205/mackwork/Brain2.jpg

That pic is misleading - it's not that close to touching any GSPs or zoas. This pic is better to understand what it's growing on (but a pretty crumby picture):

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s205/mackwork/Brain3.jpg

I currently have it jammed into a hole in my LR, midway up my rock, but I'd like to move it somewhere else. Are these types OK with being in the LR, or does it prefer to be on the sand?

Wherever I end up putting it I may need to hack of some of that spike it's on - best way to do this with common tools? I do have a dremel. Are these things OK with being out of water for a while?

Thanks for any help.

Terry

[Bcollins111900]

It is a lobophylia and looks a little bleached so acclimate it slowly to your lighting. It is photsynthetic but meaty foods suchs as mysis and cyclopeeze will work well for food. It is ok to be in the rock work and IMO should be there. To frag it when it comes time if you like a dremel with a diamond wheel works best IME. it is ok to be out of a water for a min or two but keeping it wet is best. Cut for a bit and dip, cut for a bit and dip, and so on till it is cut in half.

[Reefmack]

Hi and thanks much for the advice. It actually has a lot better color to it than my pictures show. Because of that long spike it's on, I've put it about as low as I can get it without having it laying on on the sand. If I remove some of that spike it's on with the Dremel, so I can mount it somewhere else lower in the tank for the time being. Do they prefer high or low light intensity? My lighting is in my "Current Tanks" info. below.

[Bcollins111900]

Your lighting will be fine for the coral and you can place it anywhere you want in the tank, just keep and eye on it.