Pavona decussata Care Guide
Pavona decussata is a foliose Indo-Pacific stony coral with leafy plates and small scattered corallites, kept as a hardy intermediate-level SPS.
Overview
Pavona decussata is a colonial stony coral of the family Agariciidae, described by Dana in 1846. Colonies are submassive, usually with leafy appendages or branches, the leaves being 3-10 mm thick. The corallites are 2-3 mm in diameter, scattered irregularly across both leaf surfaces. Colour varies and may be greenish or a shade of brown, orange or creamy yellow.
Taxonomy
- Family: Agariciidae
- Order: Scleractinia
- Genus: Pavona
- Scientific name: Pavona decussata
- Authority: Dana, 1846
Habitat
Its range extends from East Africa and the Red Sea to Japan, the East China Sea, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and eastern Australia. It occurs in various reef habitats, especially on sloping surfaces in shallow water, at depths down to about 15 m.
Reef parameters
- Type: SPS (small-polyp stony) coral, foliose growth
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.025-1.026
- Alkalinity (KH): 7.5-9 dKH
- Calcium: 420-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1300-1400 ppm
- Lighting: 150-250 PAR (medium-high)
- Flow: medium-high
Feeding
Pavona decussata is a zooxanthellate coral that derives its energy primarily from the photosynthesis of its symbiotic algae, so it is essentially photosynthetic in the aquarium. Stable lighting, calcium, alkalinity and magnesium support skeletal growth; amino acid supplementation may be used to support coloration but is not required for survival.
Compatibility
The coral is passive and lacks aggressive sweeper tentacles, making it reef-safe alongside fish and shrimp. As with most SPS, it benefits from a mature tank (about three months or older) with stable parameters and should be given space from more aggressive neighbours.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. Although currently widespread and common, the species is considered susceptible to coral bleaching and habitat destruction.