Favites pentagona Martian Moon Original FraggleReef
Parent Colony. This Pentagona War and Peace Favites coral develops a solid bright green
pigmentation on ridges and on inner corallite slopes. The very center of the corallite has a
deep purple pigmentation. This is a very exotic and unique pigmentation pattern for the
Favites pentagona coral.
This Martian Moon Favites pentagona develops a solid bright medium green pigmentation
across its main surface. When the corals tissue is full expanded (see above image) the
solid green coloration occurs on ridges and outer regions of depressed corallites. This
bright green main coloration contrasts sharply with the dark purple pigmentation found
within the center of corallites. When the corals tissue is partially retracted (see below
image) the top ridges inbetween corallites can devleop a more yellowish brown color.
This is believed to be another Favites pentagona coral which fragments well and can
develop moderate growth rates in captivity. This is the same Favites species as the War
Coral and the Peace coral. We do not know if the polyps of the Martian Moon will extend
and take food as well as the War Coral polyp tentacles.
The Martian Moon Favites pentagona was originally acquired by Miguel of
FraggleReef. The name
of the coral was developed by Miguel's girlfriend. The corallites of this coral remind
her of the eyes of martian aliens found within old classic science fiction movies.
Miguel states that the best color for this coral develops under medium to strong
blue light. A distance of 14 to 16 inches from a 400 watt 20 K works best. The coral
will also grow faster with weekly feedings of meaty foods.
Steve Tyree is maintaining a seed section of the Martian Moon coral for Reeffarmers.com
in one of his 125 gallon naturally filtered Tri-Zonal Reef Aquarium. In Steve's captive reef
the coral is positioned to receive low to moderate light under a 400 watt 14,000 K Metal
Halide. Please note - On August 2010 Reeffarmers retired this coral due to a loss of its
seed.
Martian Moon Favites pentagona seed colony maintained by
Reeffarmers. Note that in the purple corallite centers there are 6 bumps of color dots.
Those are polyp tentacles and they may have some interesting pigments themselves, but we have
not seen them extend yet.