Cactus Pavona Coral: Orange - Central Pacific

The Pavona Coral (Pavona maldivensis), also known as the Pavona Cactus coral, is an unusual SPS found among the Indo-Pacific Ocean. They primarily grow horizontally, encrusting over a surface, but also develop vertical columns throughout, sometimes giving a cactus-like appearance. Though it does best in pristine water conditions, Pavona is also capable of growing in a variety of water conditions, making it a great beginner-level SPS coral. It should be provided with moderate-high lighting and high current, to help keep its surface clear of debris. It feed most at evening/night, when it extends its tentacles, reaching for food in the water column.