022 WYSWIYG Malibu Sunrise Favia

022 – Malibu Sunrise Favia
Scientific Name: Favia spp.
Type: LPS Coral

Overview

The Malibu Sunrise Favia is a striking large polyp stony coral known for its bold contrast and tight polyp formation. This particular frag features intense neon green mouths surrounded by radiant orange-gold ridges with a deep, metallic blue base. Under heavy blue spectrum lighting, the coral fluoresces vividly, making it a focal point in any reef.

Favias are hardy, adaptable, and relatively fast-growing under stable reef conditions. They tolerate a broad range of lighting and nutrient environments, making them well-suited for intermediate hobbyists looking for visual impact without the demands of SPS care.

Care Requirements

Lighting:
Moderate to high. PAR between 100–250 is ideal. Coloration becomes more vibrant under strong blue LEDs, but the coral adapts well to lower light if acclimated properly.

Water Flow:
Moderate, with indirect current. Flow should be enough to carry away debris but not strong enough to cause tissue recession or stress on extended feeding tentacles.

Placement:
Low to mid-level. Mount on rock or substrate with at least 2 inches of space from neighboring corals to account for nighttime sweeper tentacles.

Feeding:
Photosynthetic via symbiotic zooxanthellae. Actively feeds at night. Will accept fine particulate coral foods, mysis, or reef roids. Target feeding once or twice per week supports faster growth and deeper coloration.

Aggression Level:
Moderate. Extends short sweeper tentacles at night and can sting nearby corals. Give it adequate room or use a barrier rock between colonies.

Growth Rate:
Moderate. Favias will encrust and build dome-shaped skeletons over time with consistent parameters and light feeding.

Difficulty:
Easy to moderate. Suitable for aquarists with a stable system looking to expand their LPS collection.

Additional Notes

The Malibu Sunrise variety is highly prized for its intense pigmentation and well-defined skeletal structure. It holds color well in both high and low nutrient systems, though additional feeding and stable chemistry tend to bring out the richest tones.

As with all Favia species, avoid placing near aggressive LPS or rapidly spreading encrusting corals. While generally forgiving, it benefits from stable alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium levels.

Best results occur in tanks with consistent lighting schedules, clean flow, and minimal parameter fluctuations.