Aussie Ultra Symphyllia Frag – Premium Australian Multicolor LPS Brain Coral

About This Coral

Bring extraordinary color, intricate patterns, and impressive fleshy tissue expansion to your saltwater aquarium with the Aussie Ultra Symphyllia Frag, a beautiful Australian large-polyp stony (LPS) brain coral prized for its vibrant appearance and distinctive skeletal structure.

Australian Symphyllia corals are highly sought after by reef aquarium enthusiasts for their brilliant pigmentation, thick fleshy tissue, and fascinating maze-like patterns. Their surfaces feature winding ridges and valleys that create the characteristic appearance of a brain coral.

The Ultra designation is commonly used in the aquarium trade for especially colorful specimens. Depending on the individual coral, Australian Symphyllia may display combinations of red, orange, green, purple, blue, and other contrasting pigments.

This frag provides an opportunity to introduce the beauty of a larger brain coral into an established reef aquarium in a smaller, more manageable format.

The term Symphyllia remains common in the aquarium hobby, although many corals historically classified in this genus are now included in Lobophyllia. The exact scientific identification of the Aussie Ultra Symphyllia Frag should be confirmed from the individual specimen.

These corals are appreciated for their dramatic tissue inflation, slow and steady growth, and ability to become attractive centerpieces in carefully maintained marine aquariums.

Unlike many demanding SPS corals, Symphyllia-type brain corals generally prefer lower-to-moderate lighting and gentle-to-moderate water movement.

With stable water chemistry, appropriate placement, occasional feeding, and careful handling, the Aussie Ultra Symphyllia Frag can develop into a stunning addition to a premium LPS coral collection.

This product is a live LPS coral frag. Individual coloration, size, and healing status may vary.

Features

• Premium Australian brain coral sold under the Ultra Symphyllia trade designation.
• Beautiful multicolor potential with vivid pigmentation that varies by specimen.
• Distinctive brain-like structure featuring broad, winding ridges and valleys.
• Thick, fleshy coral tissue creates an impressive expanded appearance.
• LPS coral frag format provides a smaller alternative to a full-grown colony.
• Moderate care requirements suitable for reef hobbyists with established aquariums.
• Low-to-moderate lighting preference accommodates many mixed reef systems.
• Gentle-to-moderate indirect flow supports healthy tissue expansion.
• Photosynthetic coral supported by symbiotic algae within its tissues.
• Supplemental feeding response to appropriately sized marine meaty foods.
• Attractive under reef lighting with colors that may fluoresce under blue-spectrum illumination.
• Excellent collector coral for Australian LPS enthusiasts.
• Suitable for lower reef placement with adequate clearance.
• Potential for long-term growth as the frag establishes and develops.
• Individual natural variation makes each available specimen distinctive.

Specifications

Recommended Water Parameters

These are general guidelines for Symphyllia-type brain corals, not verified holding conditions for the particular frag being sold. Stability is more important than maintaining one exact target value.

Lighting Requirements

The Aussie Ultra Symphyllia Frag generally benefits from low-to-moderate reef aquarium lighting.

An initial intensity of approximately 60–120 PAR is a practical starting range for many fleshy brain corals, although some established specimens may tolerate stronger illumination after gradual acclimation.

Excessive lighting can result in tissue contraction, bleaching, or loss of pigmentation.

Lighting Recommendations

• Begin newly introduced frags in a lower-light position.
• Increase illumination gradually if appropriate.
• Avoid sudden changes in lighting intensity or photoperiod.
• Monitor fleshy tissue expansion and coloration.
• Reduce light intensity if bleaching or persistent contraction occurs.
• Maintain a consistent daily lighting schedule.

Blue-spectrum aquarium lighting may emphasize the coral’s fluorescent pigmentation, but the appearance will depend on the individual specimen.

Water Flow Requirements

The Aussie Ultra Symphyllia Frag prefers gentle-to-moderate, indirect water circulation.

Appropriate water movement helps exchange gases, transport nutrients, and prevent debris from accumulating between the coral’s folds.

Avoid directing a powerful wavemaker or return nozzle straight at the coral.

Concentrated flow can push delicate tissue against the underlying skeleton, potentially causing irritation or injury.

The ideal location allows the coral’s tissue to expand naturally without excessive movement or folding.

Feeding and Nutrition

Symphyllia-type brain corals are photosynthetic and receive a substantial portion of their energy from symbiotic algae within their tissues.

However, they can also capture small marine meaty foods.

Occasional supplemental feeding may help support healthy tissue condition and growth.

Suitable Foods

• Mysis shrimp
• Finely chopped marine shrimp
• Small pieces of marine seafood
• Appropriate LPS coral pellets
• Specialized meaty coral foods

Recommended Feeding Schedule

Offer a small amount of appropriately sized food approximately once or twice per week, depending on the coral’s condition and feeding response.

Feeding tentacles may become more visible during the evening or after lights dim.

Use a feeding pipette to gently present food near the coral’s feeding area.

Avoid oversized pieces, force-feeding, and excessive nutrient buildup.

Placement and Coral Compatibility

Ideal Placement

The Aussie Ultra Symphyllia Frag is generally best positioned on a stable sand bed or smooth lower rock surface.

Choose a location that provides:

• Low-to-moderate lighting
• Gentle, indirect circulation
• Adequate space for tissue expansion
• A smooth, stable supporting surface
• Separation from aggressive neighboring corals
• Protection from shifting rocks and falling equipment

Avoid sharp rock edges that may puncture or abrade the coral’s fleshy tissue.

Mixed Reef Compatibility

Symphyllia-type brain corals can be maintained in mixed reef aquariums when given sufficient space.

They are considered semi-aggressive and may extend feeding or sweeper tentacles that can sting neighboring corals.

Allow several inches of clearance, with additional space if the specimen expands substantially or displays longer nighttime tentacles.

Growth and Expansion

The coral’s living tissue may expand well beyond the visible skeleton.

As the frag grows, it may gradually develop additional skeletal structure and a larger fleshy appearance.

Growth is usually slow compared with many faster-growing colonial coral species.

Frag Healing and Recovery

Because this product is sold as a frag rather than an intact colony, its condition following propagation is particularly important.

Cutting fleshy brain corals can expose the skeleton and damage tissue if performed improperly.

A properly recovered frag should show stable living tissue and no signs of progressive recession along the cut surfaces.

Signs of Recovery

• Healthy tissue inflation
• Consistent coloration
• No progressive tissue loss
• Gradual healing of exposed edges
• Normal feeding response
• No persistent deterioration or unusual mucus buildup

Avoid placing a freshly cut or stressed specimen under intense lighting or strong direct flow.

If purchasing a recently propagated frag, confirm its healing status before shipment.

Acclimation and Introduction Instructions

1. Inspect the shipment: Examine the frag and shipping container immediately upon arrival.
2. Assess tissue condition: Look for tears, exposed skeleton, damaged edges, or progressive recession.
3. Verify aquarium parameters: Confirm stable temperature, salinity, alkalinity, and other major water values.
4. Equalize temperature: Carefully bring the sealed shipping container toward the aquarium’s temperature.
5. Follow appropriate acclimation procedures: Avoid prolonged exposure to opened shipping water.
6. Handle by the skeleton or base: Never lift or squeeze the coral by its fleshy tissue.
7. Inspect for pests: Examine the exposed skeleton and mounting surfaces.
8. Use coral dips cautiously: Follow manufacturer instructions and verify suitability for fleshy LPS corals.
9. Quarantine when possible: Observe the frag in a separate system before adding it to the display.
10. Position securely: Choose a smooth, stable lower location with gentle flow.
11. Allow recovery time: Tissue may remain contracted temporarily after shipment.
12. Monitor closely: Watch for normal expansion, stable coloration, and healing of exposed areas.

Never pour shipping water or coral-dip solution directly into the display aquarium.

Signs of a Healthy Aussie Ultra Symphyllia

Healthy specimens commonly exhibit:

• Rounded, fleshy tissue covering their living skeletal surfaces
• Consistent coloration appropriate to the individual frag
• Normal tissue inflation under suitable conditions
• Feeding tentacle extension when food is available
• Gradual healing and growth
• No progressive tissue recession

Temporary contraction after shipping or handling can be normal.

Persistent deflation, bleaching, tissue tearing, exposed skeleton where tissue was previously present, or deteriorating cut edges may indicate stress or injury.

Important Product Information

The Aussie Ultra Symphyllia Frag is a live LPS brain coral intended for established saltwater reef aquariums.

The Australian origin and Ultra grade are supplier or aquarium-trade descriptions rather than separate scientifically recognized species.

The name Symphyllia remains widely used in aquarium retail, although the historical genus has undergone taxonomic revision, and many specimens are now classified under Lobophyllia.

The exact species, coloration, frag size, and healing status should be confirmed for the available specimen.

Aqua SD lists multiple products named Aussie Ultra Symphyllia Frag, indicating separate specimens may be sold under the same product name.

Unless specifically identified as WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), photographs should be considered representative rather than guarantees of the exact piece shipped.

Colors may appear different under white, blue, and actinic reef aquarium lighting.

This coral is not suitable for freshwater aquariums.

Availability and Pricing

We ship daily, contact us for availability and price.

Recommended Application

The Aussie Ultra Symphyllia Frag is an excellent addition to mature mixed reef aquariums, premium Australian LPS collections, and displays featuring colorful fleshy brain corals.

With its intricate ridges, dramatic tissue expansion, beautiful potential multicolor pigmentation, and preference for gentle water movement, this coral can become an exceptional focal point in a carefully maintained saltwater aquarium.