Potato Chip Pavona - WYSIWYG (AJ4)
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All WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) corals will be the exact specimen in the photo. Please note that corals may grow and shift in coloration slightly in the time between the photo being taken and delivery. We will contact you before shipping in the rare instance that the coral no longer meets the standards set by the photo.
Pavona corals, commonly called Cactus Corals or Potato Chip Corals, are hardy SPS corals known for their unique ridged, plating, or encrusting growth forms. They are available in shades of green, brown, orange, and neon variations that glow vividly under actinic lighting. Pavona are relatively tolerant compared to other SPS, making them an excellent choice for aquarists who want to try small polyp stony corals without the high demands of Acropora or Birdsnest.
Description:
Common Names: Pavona Coral, Cactus Coral, Potato Chip Coral
Scientific Name: Pavona species
Family: Agariciidae
Temperament: Semi-aggressive (can extend sweeper tentacles)
Difficulty: Moderate
Native Habitat & Distribution:
Pavona corals are found across the Indo-Pacific, particularly on reef slopes and lagoons, where they grow in encrusting, plating, or leafy formations exposed to moderate to strong currents and light.
Aquarium Care & Setup:
Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)
pH: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.024–1.026
Lighting: Moderate to high (100–250 PAR) depending on placement and morph
Flow: Moderate to strong; ensures debris does not accumulate on plates or ridges
Placement: Mid to lower rockwork with enough space to allow spreading colonies
Care Tips & Feeding:
• Feeding: Primarily photosynthetic but benefits from occasional target feeding with coral foods like phytoplankton or reef roids
• Growth Pattern: Encrusting, plating, or leafy colonies with ridged skeletal structures
• Tankmates: Compatible with peaceful reef fish and SPS-dominated systems; avoid aggressive stinging corals nearby
• Behavior: Grows well in varied conditions, making it one of the more forgiving SPS options
For more information, check our our pavona care guide.
Are Pavona corals easy to keep?
Yes, they are considered one of the hardier SPS corals, tolerant of a wider range of conditions than Acropora or Birdsnest.
What lighting do Pavona corals need?
They thrive under moderate to high light (100–250 PAR), with coloration improving under stronger lighting.
Do Pavona corals need feeding?
They are photosynthetic but benefit from supplemental feeding with fine coral foods.
Where should I place Pavona in my tank?
Mid to lower rockwork with moderate to strong flow is ideal to support their plating and encrusting growth.
How fast do Pavona corals grow?
They are moderate growers, spreading outward to encrust rock or forming leafy plates.
Are Pavona corals aggressive?
They are semi-aggressive, capable of extending sweeper tentacles to defend territory, so provide adequate spacing.