Favia Brain Coral (LPS) (Favia sp.)

Favia Brain Coral (LPS) Favia sp.
Name	Favia Brain Coral (LPS)
Name Lat.	Favia sp.
Family	Brain Corals
Family lat.	Faviidae
Order	Stony Corals
Order lat.	Scleractinia
Origin	Indo-Pacific, Red Sea
Diet	Autotrophic, planktivore
pH	8.1-8.4
Hardness	8-10 °KH
Lighting	Medium-high
Current	Moderate-strong
Behavior	Aggressive
Keeping	Colony
Care Level	Moderate
Life Span	N/A
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EC Annex B
Metric Units
Size	20-30 cm
Temperature	23-28 °C
Salinity	33-36 ‰
Aquarium	200 l
US Units
Size	8"-11"
Temperature	73-82 °F
Salinity	1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium	50 gal

Distribution and habitat

Favia sp. belongs to the group of LPS (Large Polyp Scleractinia). This reef-building coral is widely distributed in the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific. They live in all reef habitats and lagoons with moderately strong currents up to 20 m depth, where they occur in different color forms according to their origin.

Maintenance

They should be positioned in a place with higher light intensity and moderately strong, alternating current. Only high-calcium, heavy metal-free substrates should be used as substrate. Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. It is recommended that live stones be used to set up the aquarium. The bacteria living in the porous stones act as a biological filter. The lighting must correspond to the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals

Salinity: 33-36 ‰	pH value: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH	Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l
calcium content: 420-450 mg/l	Nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l
Magnesium content: 1.250-1.350 mg/l	phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l

Regular addition of trace elements, especially calcium, magnesium and strontium is recommended. For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention shall be paid to consistently good water quality and water values.

Diet

Zooxanthellae, which are unicellular symbiotic algae, live in their tissues and provide them with assimilation products of their photosynthesis (light intensity). The zooxanthellae promote growth and provide additional food to the plankton and small particles collected from the water current. Thus, in addition to the food produced in the aquarium during fish feeding (mysis, krill, Artemia, etc.), commercial supplementary food in the form of phyto- and zooplankton should be offered regularly in the evening

A varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Behaviour and compatibility

They should not be kept with fish that regard their polyps as food (e.g. angelfish or butterflyfish). They are conditionally compatible with other corals, but sufficient distance from them must be maintained.

Reproduction and breeding

Reproduction takes place via the formation of daughter colonies (breeders). Occasionally, propagation by fragmentation in the aquarium has already been successful. Fragments are fixed in the reef structure, e.g. with a good two-component coral glue (epoxy).

Species protection

Species protection: WA Appendix II; EU Appendix B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe! Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Important

Large numbers of young colonies may suddenly appear in the aquarium.

The additional lighting with actinic light (short-wave, violet-blue light) is very beneficial for their growth (zooxanthellae)

A calcium reactor and magnesium metering pump are recommended for the necessary steady supply of calcium carbonate and magnesium. Too high temperature, insufficient lighting or current as well as sudden change of water values can lead to tissue decay (RTN - rapid tissue necrosis). When purchasing, look for pressure marks or other tissue damage. Newly introduced animals must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium

If different species are kept together, make sure that fish and invertebrates match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the ecological needs of all species kept together

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch; VERON (2000): Corals of the world, Australian Institute of Marine Science