Favites Coral

Favites is a genus of closed brain coral that grows in massive domes or mounds. Its corallites are polygonal and share common walls with neighboring corallites; from above, the colony resembles a honeycomb. This feature is the easiest way to distinguish it from Favia (Dipsastraea): in Favia each corallite has its own wall. Fluorescent colonies with green mouths and red or brown walls are common in the trade.

In stores the species name is often not given or is confused with Favia; this page covers the genus as a whole (the most commonly seen are Favites abdita, F. pentagona, F. halicora and F. flexuosa). The English name "war coral" refers to the genus's aggressiveness toward neighboring corals. Its trade is subject to CITES Appendix II; choose a maricultured colony or an aquacultured frag.

• Ultra or Rainbow Favites: Fluorescent collector forms with sharply separated red, green and orange tones.
• Green-red Favites: The common form with green mouths and dark red walls.

It is common in most reef environments from the Red Sea to the Central Pacific; colonies can exceed one meter in the wild. It is darker in turbid, shaded places and lighter-colored in clear water. This flexibility explains its hardiness in the aquarium.

• Light: Moderate light, about 100–250 PAR. Increase the light gradually; fluorescent colors stand out under blue-dominated light.
• Flow: Moderate and variable; detritus should not collect between the corallites.
• Placement: The middle zone of the rockwork. Plan for ample space around it for the tentacles that extend at night.
• Water parameters: Salinity 1.024–1.026, KH 7–10 dKH, calcium 400–450 mg/L, magnesium 1250–1350 mg/L. It is tolerant but does not like sudden changes. Nitrate 2–10 mg/L and phosphate 0.03–0.1 mg/L are suitable.

It is photosynthetic. At night it also catches small organisms with tentacles that emerge from the corallites. Feeding mysis, brine shrimp or small-grained coral food once a week after the lights go out supports growth and color. Do not leave food on top of the colony; siphon out anything that is not caught.

It is an aggressive coral. At night it can extend stinging "sweeper" tentacles much longer than its normal tentacles, and it digests any coral it touches with its mesenterial filaments. Leave at least 10–15 cm of space between it and neighboring corals; in particular, do not place fleshy LPS or SPS frags next to it. If it meets Euphyllia or Galaxea, both sides get hurt.

Dwarf angelfish and some butterflyfish may pick at the tissue. It lives without problems alongside most reef fish and invertebrates.

It is propagated by cutting its massive skeleton with a diamond-blade saw. Leave several intact corallites on each piece and watch the pieces for a few weeks under low flow after cutting. Because growth is slow, it can take weeks for the cut edge to be covered with tissue. Choosing a clean line between the corallites protects the tissue.

• Bleaching: A sudden increase in light or high temperature fades the color; increase the light gradually.
• Tissue recession: Usually caused by contact with a neighboring coral, KH swings or detritus collecting at the edge.
• Burn marks on neighboring corals: If you see white, dead patches on corals next to the Favites, increase the distance.