🧱 Favites Coral – Bold Patterns, Easy Care, and Lasting Color

What is a Favites Coral?

Favites Coral (also called Brain Coral or Closed Brain Coral) is a hardy LPS coral (Large Polyp Stony coral) known for its maze-like patterns and vibrant colors. Its thick, encrusting or dome-shaped growth and shared-wall polyps give it a signature honeycomb look. Favites come in bold reds, neon greens, oranges, and multi-color combinations, making them an eye-catching addition to any reef tank.

🔎 Keywords: favites coral, brain coral, LPS coral, hardy reef coral, colorful coral for reef tanks

Favites Coral Care Guide

Favites are tough and adaptable. They do best in stable systems with the following conditions:

✅ Temperature: 75–80°F

✅ Salinity: 1.024–1.026

✅ pH: 8.1–8.4

✅ Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

✅ Calcium: 400–450 ppm

✅ Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm

Lighting: Moderate (PAR 100–200)
Flow: Moderate—enough to keep it clean without blasting tissue

Ideal Placement in the Aquarium

Place Favites on the bottom to mid-levels of the tank. They can grow on sandbeds or flat rock surfaces. Leave space between it and other corals—Favites can extend sweeper tentacles at night.

🌟 Tip: Avoid strong, direct light and heavy flow.

Feeding Favites Coral

Favites corals are photosynthetic but grow best with target feeding 1–2 times per week.

🦢 Feed with:

• Reef Roids

• Coral Frenzy

• Finely chopped mysis shrimp

• LPS pellets or marine snow

Feeding at night or with flow turned down helps improve uptake.

Compatibility With Tankmates

Favites are semi-aggressive and need space from other corals. They are reef-safe and do well with peaceful fish and inverts.

✅ Compatible with:

• LPS tanks

• Mixed reefs

• Most reef-safe livestock

❌ Avoid placing directly next to softies or delicate corals.

Signs of Stress in Favites Coral

Watch for:

❌ Receding tissue or bare spots – may mean stress or nearby stingers

❌ Dull color – could be from low nutrients or incorrect lighting

❌ Algae buildup – may result from poor flow or placement

Quick changes in lighting, flow, or neighbors often help.

🧠 Why Choose Favites Coral?

Favites Corals are durable, colorful, and easy to grow. They bring texture and contrast to your reef with minimal care.

✅ Beginner-friendly and tough
✅ Grows well under moderate conditions
✅ Adds structure and bold color
✅ Easy to feed and maintain
✅ Long-lasting addition to any reef