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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 known for their visually diverse appearance, developing multiple growth forms and displaying a wide array of colors and patterns. Although previously categorized into nearly 100 species, only two Caribbean species, Favia fragum and Favia gravida, remain in the reef aquarium hobby due to legal restrictions on collecting stony corals from the Caribbean. Many former Favia species have been reclassified into genera such as Dipsastraea, Goniastrea, Coelastrea, or Favites.
Demands and Hardiness
Favia corals have moderate demands and are generally hardy in reef aquarium setups. They can tolerate a range of water flow patterns, although a low to medium flow is ideal to prevent detritus buildup and coral damage. These corals thrive in low to moderate lighting conditions, typically requiring around 50 to 100 PAR. Direct feeding with small-sized meaty foods enriched with vitamins and fatty acids is beneficial for their nutrition.
Lighting
Favia corals prefer low to moderate lighting conditions, with an intensity of around 50 to 100 PAR being ideal. Excessive light can lead to bleaching and stress for the corals, so it is essential to monitor their response to lighting and adjust as needed to prevent harm. Dim lighting is generally well-tolerated by Favia corals, while overly bright lighting should be avoided.
Water Flow
Optimal water flow for Favia corals is low to moderate, providing a balance between preventing detritus accumulation and avoiding physical damage to the coral. Adjusting flow specifically for Favia may not be necessary, as they are resilient to a variety of flow patterns. Temporary shutdown of water flow during feeding sessions allows the corals to consume food efficiently without wastage caused by excessive flow.
Feeding
Favia corals primarily rely on the products of their zooxanthellae for nutrition but also benefit from direct feeding. Offering a mixture of small-sized meaty foods like shrimp, fish, and squid, supplemented with vitamins and highly unsaturated fatty acids, supports their health. It is essential to ensure that the food provided is small enough for the coral polyps to ingest fully, with Favites typically having smaller mouths compared to Favia.
Propagation
Propagation of Favia corals varies among genera, with some varieties like Favites exhibiting rapid growth rates while others like Coelastrea grow more slowly. While Favia corals can be easily cut and heal well from fragmentation, their suitability for long-term commercial aquaculture depends on their individual growth rates. Lumping all Favia corals into a single category may not be effective for aquaculture planning due to their differing growth characteristics.
Localization & Habitat
Favia corals are found in the islands of the Indo-Pacific region, including locations such as Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. These corals prefer tropical marine environments with stable water conditions, typically inhabiting shallow reef areas with moderate light and water flow levels.