Favia danae

Verrill, 1872

Knob Coral, Moon Coral

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea, Eastern Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, and south to Australia.

Natural Environment: Inhabits a wide range of reef environments, and usually seen at depths between 6 to 30 feet (2 - 10 m).

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade.

Care needs to be taken when placing this coral in the aquarium, as too strong water movement may cause tissue recession, which may in turn bring about a protozoan infestation and also possibly allowing a micro alga such as 'Ostreobium' to infest its barren skeleton material, hastening tissue recession.

Besides moderate water movement, lighting is also a husbandry aspect that needs attention, as this species prefers bright light, with best placement mid-level in the aquarium

Be sure to secure its position, as damaged tissue from falls frequently leads to loss of this coral.

Care should also be taken as to its position in the aquarium in relation to other corals, as this species can send out long sweeper tentacles during evening hours.

Keep in mind that growth seems to stagnate in those maintained at lower light levels. Nevertheless, if adequate lighting cannot be provided, hand feeding the coral can help encourage growth. Feeding tentacles are usually displayed during evening hours and zooplankton-type products such as enriched adult brine shrimp, or Cyclop-eeze can occasionally be offered.

Placement on bottoms substrate is not recommended because sand grains deposits from disturbances can cause tissue damage.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Faviidae

Genus: Favia

FYI: In the wild, forms small massive-shaped with conical, thick walled corallites and usually mottled brown, green, yellow-green or grey.

Maricultured specimens available.

Experience Level: Beginner

Diet: Photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Aggressive

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 74 - 83°F (23 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Lighting: PAR 350 - 450+

Water Movement: WM 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.