Maldives Pavona (Pavona maldivensis) Care Guide
Pavona maldivensis is an encrusting-to-massive coral in the family Agariciidae with star-like corallites; a hardy zooxanthellate species listed as Least Concern.
Overview
Pavona maldivensis is a stony coral in the family Agariciidae, described by Gardiner in 1905. Colonies can be encrusting or massive or a mixture of the two, typically smaller than 30 cm across but occasionally exceeding 1 m. Morphology is plastic: it forms cylindrical finger-like growths in strong currents and horizontal plates with leafy edges in calmer water.
Taxonomy
- Family: Agariciidae
- Genus: Pavona
- Scientific name: Pavona maldivensis
- Authority: (Gardiner, 1905)
- Synonyms: Pavona pollicata (Wells, 1954); Siderastrea maldivensis (Gardiner, 1905)
Habitat
The species ranges from the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Madagascar through the southwestern and central Indian Ocean to northern Australia, southern Japan, the South China Sea and the western, central and eastern Pacific. It favours shallow reef slopes, especially those with strong wave action, and vertical surfaces.
Symbiosis and feeding
It is a zooxanthellate coral relying on symbiotic single-celled algae for photosynthesis, and it contains the pigment phycoerythrin, which produces orange fluorescence. In aquaria lighting drives its growth, with amino-acid supplements as support.
Reef-tank requirements
- Lighting: 150-250 PAR (medium-high)
- Flow: medium-high
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.025-1.026
- Alkalinity (dKH): 7.5-9
- Calcium: 420-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1300-1400 ppm
- Phosphate: below 0.05 ppm
- Nitrate: below 10 ppm
- Minimum tank maturity: about 3 months
Compatibility
It is a passive, reef-safe coral suitable alongside fish and shrimp. Stable chemistry and consistent flow help maintain its colour and form.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (2014).