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Datasheet
| Care Description | When it comes to diversity, it is hard to think of a more visually diverse group of corals than Favia. These brain corals develop multiple growth forms and come in just about every color and pattern imaginable. The diversity however is a little bit deceptive. Have you ever got the feeling that the term Favia covered a lot of corals that looked somewhat different? You are not alone.Favia brain corals were one of the largest categories of large polyp stony corals in the reef aquarium hobby. At one time there were nearly 100 species of Favia but now that number dwindled down to only two, Favia fragum, and Favia gravida, both of which are Caribbean species. That means that there are essentially zero Favia brains in the reef aquarium hobby because stony corals from the Caribbean are illegal to collect. So what happened to all these species of Favia? Coral taxonomists over the years reclassified them into other genera as more information was uncovered. Most of the corals that were once classified as Favia are now Dipsastraea, Goniastrea, Coelastrea, or Favites. |
| Water Flow | Low to Moderate |
| Temperature | 22.2°C / 71.96°F - 25.6°C / 78.08°F |
| Specific Gravity | 1.023-1.026 |
| Carbonate Hardness | 8-12 |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
General Description
Favia corals are visually diverse, exhibiting multiple growth forms and displaying a wide range of colors and patterns. Once comprising nearly 100 species, the Favia group now includes only Favia fragum and Favia gravida, both endemic to the Caribbean. Taxonomic reclassifications have led to the redistribution of many former Favia species into genera like Dipsastraea, Goniastrea, Coelastrea, and Favites.
Demands and Hardiness (Setup)
The Hell Rider Favia is exceptionally hardy and fast-growing, featuring a purple/blue base with green eyes and neon red growth edges. It thrives in low to moderate lighting conditions, with an optimal range of 50 to 100 PAR. Maintaining a flow of low to moderate intensity is recommended, as extremely bright light can lead to bleaching, and excessive water flow can damage the coral.
Lighting
For optimal growth and health, Favia corals should be kept under low to moderate lighting conditions, typically ranging from 50 to 100 PAR. While they can tolerate dim lighting for extended periods, they are sensitive to overly bright light, which may result in bleaching.
Water Flow
Favia corals are tolerant of a variety of water flow patterns, making them adaptable to different tank setups. Providing a moderate, middle-of-the-road flow is ideal, as excessive flow can cause damage to the colonies, while insufficient flow may lead to detritus buildup. Temporarily shutting off the flow during feeding sessions can enhance nutrient uptake.
Feeding
Favia corals predominantly rely on zooxanthellae for nutrition but benefit from direct feeding. They consume zooplankton, mysis shrimp, powdered, and pellet food in sizes ranging from 0.1mm to 13mm. Offering a variety of meaty foods with vitamin additives and highly unsaturated fatty acids is recommended for their optimal growth and health.
Propagation
Propagating Favia corals can vary based on the genus, with some variants like Favites displaying rapid growth, while others like Coelastrea exhibit slower growth rates. These corals can be easily cut and heal well from fragmentation, but their varying growth rates pose challenges for long-term commercial aquaculture efforts.
Localization & Habitat
Favia corals are found in the Indo-Pacific region, including islands such as Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. Due to the illegal status of Caribbean species, such as Favia fragum and Favia gravida, they are not widely available in the reef aquarium trade.