Favia speciosa is a very common massive stony coral. It can also have
contrasting color between the main coral surface and the large calices
that contain the polyps. This rare specimen that is being farmed has
probably the most exotic color combination that occurs in this species.
The main surface of this coral is bright green while the calices are
bright red. At night the calices can extend polyp tentacles out for an inch
or two. As the calices expand during the day the coral becomes more
red in coloration. When disturbed the calices retract and the green
between the red calices is more visible. This particular specimen was
found within a Jakarta tranship at a local wholesaler in Los Angeles.
Andrew Newcomer of Aquatic Creations found the coral and brought it
back to his retail facility where three interested parties argued about
who would purchase it. In the end it was decided to break the coral into
three pieces. Luckily reeffarmers.com acquired a section of the original
colony. Its coloration was faded at first, but quickly intensified. A picture
of this exact color morph can be found in Corals of the World by Veron
Volume 3 page 109 photo 3. Steve Tyree is maintaining this coral
for reeffarmers.com in one of his 125 gallon naturally filtered Tri-Zonal
EG Reef Aquariums. In Steve's captive reef the coral is positoned at
about 18 inches from a 400 watt 20,000 K Radium Metal Halide that
is about 1 year old. This coral can maintain its red and green pigmentation
in moderate to weak lighting. Water current is moderate. Recently the coral
has begun to partially extend its polyps during the day. It is very healthy
and growing over epoxy. Growth rates have however been slow. Starting in
August 2003 ReefFarmers.com is distributing 1 farmed fragment
of this coral every 2 months. Price is currently $50 per small sized fragment.
Please note - We dropped the price
on June 8th to $50 per small fragment. This is mainly because the coral has experienced
a wider captive distribution.
The bimonthly limited edition reservation schedule can be found below.
TM
