Description

🧠 Favia Coral – Description & Care Guide

🪸 Description

Favia is a genus of large polyp stony (LPS) corals, known for their rounded, brain-like appearance, bright coloration, and easy care. Favia corals are often confused with their close relatives, Favites, but generally have more distinct and spaced-out corallites (mouths).

Common Names: Brain Coral, Moon Coral, Pineapple Coral

Colors: Green, red, purple, blue, orange, yellow — often with glowing neon mouths or “eyes”

🔍 Key Features

• Colony Shape: Dome, mound, or encrusting
• Polyp Structure: Circular or oval corallites with well-defined walls
• Texture: Bumpy surface with prominent, visible mouths
• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate

🧪 Tank Requirements

ParameterIdeal RangeLightingModerate (PAR 80–150)FlowModerateTemperature75–80°F (24–27°C)Salinity1.025–1.026 SGAlkalinity8–10 dKHCalcium420–460 ppmMagnesium1250–1350 ppmNutrientsNitrate: 2–15 ppm; Phosphate: 0.03–0.1 ppm

💡 Lighting Tips

• Thrives under moderate light.
• Too much light can lead to bleaching or faded colors.
• Acclimate slowly if moving to a higher light zone or new tank.

🌊 Flow Requirements

• Enjoys moderate, indirect flow.
• Avoid high flow that could tear tissue or prevent feeding.
• Flow should be enough to keep detritus off its surface.

🍽️ Feeding

Favia is photosynthetic, but target feeding can boost growth and coloration.

• Feed Types: Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, Reef-Roids, Coral Frenzy
• Feeding Frequency: 1–2× per week
• Best Time: After lights out or when feeder tentacles are visible

🧼 Care & Placement

• Aggression: Moderate – releases sweeper tentacles at night (~1–2 inches long)
• Placement: Mid to lower areas, with space around (2–3 inches minimum)
• Fragging: Can be fragged with a wet tile saw or Dremel — heals slowly

⚠️ Common Issues

IssueCauseFixTissue recessionWater instability or poor lightingCheck parameters, improve stabilityColor fadingToo much or too little lightAdjust PAR, consider feedingAggression damageToo close to other coralsIncrease spacingAlgae on skeletonPoor flow or dead spotsImprove water movement, remove algae

✅ Quick Summary

TraitFavia CoralCare LevelEasy to moderateAggressionModerate (nighttime sweepers)LightingModerateFlowModerate, indirectFeedingOptional but beneficialFraggingModerate (needs healing time)PlacementMid to low, with spacingGrowth SpeedSlow to moderate

🌈 Popular Favia Varieties

NameDescriptionDragon Soul FaviaBright green with fiery red/yellow mouthsWar CoralRed base with green/yellow eyesChristmas FaviaRed base with alternating green and white mouthsRainbow FaviaMulti-color with intense fluorescence

🌿 Tips for Success

• Give it room to grow without touching other corals.
• Target feed occasionally to improve health and speed growth.
• Place in moderate light zones — avoids stress or bleaching.
• Watch for nighttime sweepers and adjust neighbors as needed.