Favia pallida (Pale Star Coral) Propagation Guide

Propagating Dipsastraea pallida (formerly Favia, Merulinidae), a hardy brain coral with separate-walled corallites, by cutting the massive skeleton, with notes on reef spawning.

Overview

Dipsastraea pallida, formerly Favia pallida, is a brain coral in the family Merulinidae with rounded plocoid corallites, each having its own wall. Favia colonies are massive or thickly encrusting, dome-shaped or flat, growing on a single connected skeleton. Propagation is therefore by dividing that skeleton, not by separating heads.

Reproductive Mode

The colony grows asexually as polyps bud and the separate-walled corallites multiply across the skeleton, all one genotype. Reef-building Merulinidae also reproduce sexually by releasing gametes for external fertilisation. Aquarium propagation relies on the asexual route.

Fragging / Asexual Propagation

Choose a healthy colony and cut between the separate-walled corallites rather than through them.
Saw the massive skeleton with a band saw, keeping several whole corallites per frag.
Rinse skeletal dust and attach each frag cut-side down to a plug or rock.
Recover in moderate flow under softened light until the edge tissues over.

Conditions for Propagation

Stable alkalinity, calcium and magnesium for skeletal repair.
Moderate, clean flow over the cut.
Subdued light during early recovery.
Low nutrients to keep exposed skeleton algae-free.

Sexual Reproduction

In nature these brain corals broadcast gametes into the water during synchronised spawning, with external fertilisation and larval settlement founding new colonies. This is not a routine aquarium propagation method.

Common Challenges

This is one of the more forgiving brain corals, tolerating a wide range of reef parameters, but a fresh cut still exposes skeleton that algae can colonise or that may recede if water quality dips. Cut cleanly between corallites and keep handling brief.