Wilson's brain coral (Lobophyllia wilsoni) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Symphyllia wilsoni, Aussie symphyllia
Family
Lobophylliidae (formerly Mussidae)
Origin
Mainly Australian waters, especially Western Australia
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Care level
beginner
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Moderate to high (LiveAquaria, for Symphyllia)
Flow
Moderate

Care

Wilson's brain coral is a fleshy LPS brain coral with broad, meandering valleys. Australian pieces are prized for bright colour combinations of red, orange, green and blue. Naming: it was described as Symphyllia wilsoni, and Symphyllia was merged into Lobophyllia in 2016, so it is now Lobophyllia wilsoni; it is still often sold as Symphyllia. Neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics has a page for this species; the figures come from LiveAquaria's Symphyllia brain coral page and are general guidance for the genus. LiveAquaria rates Symphyllia easy, for any level of the tank, with moderate to high light and medium flow; most keepers place it low on the rockwork or on the sand. Water: LiveAquaria gives dKH 8–12, pH 8.1–8.4 and 22–26 °C, with trace elements, calcium, strontium and magnesium. Growth is slow. Selling: this is a CITES Appendix II coral. Frags grown in the UK can be sold freely; wild-collected or imported pieces must have been legally imported with CITES paperwork. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/symphyllia-brain-coral-red). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic, with zooxanthellae covering most of its needs. LiveAquaria recommends micro-plankton or baby brine shrimp twice a week in the evening, when the tentacles are out; larger pieces take mysis or chopped seafood.

Breeding

Can be fragged by cutting through the skeleton between valleys with a saw, but it is slow-growing and wild-collected Australian colonies are the main source.

Compatibility and tank mates

Semi-aggressive (LiveAquaria): less aggressive than other Lobophyllia, but at night its sweeper tentacles reach well past the skeleton and sting nearby corals, so leave at least 10 cm around it.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.