Favites Brain Coral

Favites sp

Saltwater Coral Species Group: Favites Family: Faviidae

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Water parameters

Temp 76-80 F Temperature

Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.

pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of Hydrogen

Measuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.

NO3 1-20 ppm Nitrate

While less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.

NO2 <0.0001 ppm Nitrite

It is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia

PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm Phosphate

It is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.

NH3 <0.1 ppm Ammonia

It is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death

Ca 380 - 450 ppm Calcium

Supporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae

KH 8 - 12 dKH Alkalinity

It acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.

Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm Magnesium

It enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.

SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG Salinity

Essential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals

ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction Potential

A higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.

About Favites Brain Coral

General information

In general, corals from the genus Favites looks similar to a Favia coral. But having a closer look allows you to spot a major difference which makes Favites a unique coral genera. You have to take note that the corallite walls of Favia corals are fused while the Favites are not. Although it looks fused at a first glance, but having a closer look will tell you that the corallite walls of Favites are individually separated and bounded in between by a shallow valley.

For the Favites Brain Coral, they are predominatly colored violet on the valley, light blue on the wall and dark violet on the mouth. This are the water parameters for cultivating Favites Brain Coral:

  • Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm
  • Alkalinity: 2.86 – 3.93 MEQ/L (8 – 11 dKH)
  • Phosphates: 0
  • Magnesium: 1200 – 1350
  • Strontium: 8 -10
  • Temperature: 74° – 83° F (23° 28° C)
  • Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025

Diet & nutrition

Favites Brain Coral can survive without feeding courtesy from the nourishment it recieves from the symbiotic zooxanthellae that is living within them. But you still need to feed them with supplemental foods like krill, mysis or brine shrimp. The addition of dissolved organics is also recommended.

Determining sex

A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Favites Brain Coral. They need to be set at the bottom portion of the tank where lighting and flow rate are in moderation.

Breeding & spawning

Favites Brain Coral requires moderate lighting and moderate water flow.

Diseases

Favites Brain Coral is susceptible to hair algae. This usually occurs if the water flow is too low or not sufficient.

Origination

Favites Brain Coral can be found in the Indo-west Pacific Ocean. They are now listed as a threatened species under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which means that their global trading is now monitored.

Cautions

Favites Brain Coral must be set in the tank with enough spacing in relation to other coral species.

Acclimation process

Since the Favites Brain Coral is a marine species, salinity must be entirely maintained at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity.

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