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🌟 Pavona Coral Overview

Common Name: Pavona Coral, Cactus Coral, Lettuce Coral
Scientific Name: Pavona spp.
Family: Agariciidae

Pavona corals are hardy and visually unique small polyp stony (SPS) corals known for their ridged, leafy, or cactus-like skeletal structures. Often referred to as “Cactus Coral” or “Lettuce Coral,” Pavona displays irregular plating or branching growth patterns that make it stand out in reef aquariums. Their surface is typically covered in short polyps that give them a fuzzy appearance when fully extended.

Pavona is available in shades of green, tan, brown, orange, and even neon hues, with some fluorescent varieties glowing brightly under actinic lighting. It’s considered one of the most forgiving SPS corals, making it suitable for beginner-to-intermediate reef aquarists venturing into SPS territory.

🌊 Water Parameters

• Temperature: 75°F – 80°F (24°C – 27°C)
• Salinity (Specific Gravity): 1.025 – 1.026
• pH: 8.1 – 8.4
• Alkalinity: 8 – 12 dKH
• Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1250 – 1350 ppm
• Phosphate: < 0.03 ppm
• Nitrate: 2 – 10 ppm
• Ammonia & Nitrite: 0 ppm

💡 Lighting Requirements

Pavona corals adapt well to a range of lighting, but they thrive best under moderate to high lighting. Too little light may result in dull coloration and slower growth, while intense light can bring out their most vibrant colors—especially in fluorescent strains.

• PAR Range: 100–250
  • 100–150 PAR is adequate for most varieties
  • Higher PAR (200+) may enhance color in high-energy systems
• Spectrum: 14,000K – 20,000K (actinic/blue-heavy for fluorescence)
• Photoperiod: 8–10 hours per day

Lighting Tip: Acclimate slowly to higher lighting to prevent bleaching.

🌬️ Flow Requirements

Pavona prefers moderate to strong, indirect flow that keeps its surface clean and promotes gas exchange. Its short, stubby polyps benefit from randomized flow that prevents detritus from accumulating in the coral’s ridges and folds.

• Flow Type: Random, turbulent flow with alternating patterns
• Too Much Flow: May cause polyp retraction or tissue damage if direct
• Too Little Flow: May result in detritus buildup or algae growth

🍽️ Feeding Requirements

Pavona corals are primarily photosynthetic, but they may benefit from occasional feeding in low-nutrient systems. Feeding can support polyp extension, growth, and brighter coloration.

What to Feed:

• Finely powdered SPS coral foods
• Phytoplankton or microplankton
• Amino acid or trace element supplements

Feeding Frequency:

• Supplemental Feeding: 1–2 times per week
• In nutrient-poor systems: Up to 3 times per week

📍 Placement Tips

• Tank Position: Mid to upper areas of rockwork with stable lighting and flow
• Growth Form: May encrust, plate, or branch depending on species and conditions
• Spacing: Leave space around the coral—it may shade neighbors or engage in chemical warfare
• Compatibility: Best kept away from aggressive LPS or fast-growing SPS

🔧 Care & Maintenance Tips

• Keep water chemistry stable—especially alkalinity and calcium
• Inspect regularly for detritus buildup or nuisance algae in crevices
• Frag with a bone cutter or diamond saw—Pavona is hardy and recovers well
• Monitor for pests such as nudibranchs or vermetid snails, though they are not common

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