Moon Corals
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Quite easy to maintain, moon corals are an excellent reef aquarium animal. Scott W. Michael
[edit] Overview
Generally known as “closed brain corals,” species from three genera are very difficult to tell apart: Favia individuals appear separate on the colony surface and have discrete grooves between individuals. In Favites, the corallites of adjacent individuals share a common wall. Platygyra have a mazelike surface, with meandering corallite walls. These animals are really quite easy to maintain. Their feeding tentacles are found as a fringe inside the edge of the polyp and are extended at night.
Family: Faviidae
Other common name(s):
- Closed Brain Corals
- Brain Corals
- Maze Corals
Native range:
Maximum length: 400 cm (157 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 190 L (50 gal)
Lighting: Moderately bright lighting.
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
[edit] Feeding
Zooxanthellate. Need to be fed. Feed at night for best results. Will take meaty foods, including mysids and diced fish. These animals will reward being fed by growing well.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
Excellent reef aquarium animals. They are effectively aggressive, extending long, thin sweeper tentacles at night; give them room to sweep and grow.
[edit] Notes
Regarding size, some species reach in excess of several yards (meters) in diameter. Many are smaller.
| Common name | Moon Corals +, Closed Brain Corals +, Brain Corals +, and Maze Corals + |
| Family | Faviidae + |
| Genus | Favia + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Lighting | Moderately bright lighting. + |
| Maximum length | 157 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 50 gal + |
| Native range | Tropical Seas + |
| Reference | A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Invertebrates + |
| Specific name | spp. + |
| Text credit | RLS + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |