Hypo Tango Favia

Favia corals, also known as brain corals or closed brain corals, are popular in reef aquariums due to their hardiness and striking colors. They belong to the family Mussidae and are generally easy to care for, making them suitable for beginners.

Care Requirements

Lighting and Water Flow

• Lighting: Prefers low to moderate light (PAR 50-150).  As a stony coral adaptable to lower light, they are an excellent choice for shadier parts of the tank where you may want an encrusting coral.
• Water Flow: Moderate, Indirect.  Monitor the coral and modify the flow as necessary as two strong of flow and inhibit polyp expansion.

Water Conditions

• Temperature: 75-80°F
• Salinity: 1.024 - 1.026
• pH: 8.0 - 8.4
• Alkalinity: 8-9.5 dKH
• Calcium: 400-450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1260-1350 ppm
• Nitrates: 5-15 ppm
• Phosphates: <0.10 ppm

Feeding

Favia corals are photosynthetic but benefit from supplemental feedings. Recommended foods include:

• Amino Acids
• Powdered foods such as Benepets and Reef Roids
• Phytoplankton and Zooplankton
• Mysis shrimp (once or twice a week)

Regular target feeding a couple of times a week can enhance growth.  It is recommended that you turn off water flow for 10-15 minutes during feeding for best results.

Growth and Placement

Favia coral generally grow in dome-shaped colonies, giving them a distinctive brain-like appearance.  They have a decent growth rate when given the right conditions, including light, flow, and feeding to enhance their growth.  They should be placed in the lower to middle sections of the aquarium, out of direct water flow and direct light, to allow for proper growth.