Round Brain Coral – Dark Red – Small
The Dark Red Round Brain Coral is a striking fleshy LPS coral with large, rounded polyps and rich deep-red colouration.
Traditionally known in the aquarium hobby as Acanthastrea bowerbanki, this coral is now accepted taxonomically as Homophyllia bowerbanki. It remains widely sold under the familiar Bowerbanki or Acan name.
Its thick, inflated polyps and bold colour make it an excellent feature coral for the lower areas of an established reef aquarium.
Size: Small
Care Information
Scientific Name: Homophyllia bowerbanki
Former Name: Acanthastrea bowerbanki
Common Name: Round Brain Coral / Bowerbanki
Coral Type: LPS
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Lighting: Low to Moderate
Recommended PAR: Approximately 75–150
Water Flow: Low to Moderate, indirect
Placement: Sandbed or lower rockwork
Temperament: Aggressive
Growth Form: Encrusting / Low Massive
Aquarium Placement
Round Brain Coral performs best in the lower areas of the aquarium, where it receives lower-to-moderate lighting and gentle water movement.
Avoid strong direct flow, as this can prevent the large fleshy polyps from fully inflating.
Placement on the sandbed or secure lower rockwork is ideal.
Feeding
Bowerbanki are enthusiastic feeders and benefit greatly from occasional target feeding.
Suitable foods include:
- Mysis shrimp
- Enriched brine shrimp
- LPS coral pellets
- Finely chopped marine foods
- Other appropriately sized meaty coral foods
Target feeding once or twice per week can help support healthy tissue and growth.
Give It Plenty of Space
Despite its fleshy appearance, Bowerbanki can be quite aggressive towards neighbouring corals.
Sweeper tentacles may extend several inches beyond the colony after lights out, so provide plenty of clearance from surrounding LPS, SPS and soft corals.
Stable Reef Parameters
Eastern Marine recommends approximately:
Calcium: 400–450 ppm
Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH
Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
Stable salinity, temperature and nutrient levels will also help maintain strong colour and healthy polyp inflation.
With its deep red colour, oversized fleshy polyps and impressive rounded appearance, the Small Dark Red Round Brain Coral is an excellent feature LPS for the foreground of an established reef aquarium.
Colour, pattern, shape and size may vary between individual specimens.
