Favia Coral

Favia genus

Favia Coral

Favia genus
Other Common Names
The many different species of favia coral go by a variety of names.
Other Common Names
The many different species of favia coral go by a variety of names.

At the Aquarium

Connected Coasts

Appearance

These corals make large flat or domed bodies. Small circular ridges surround the individual polyps. Color and size vary by exact species.

Habitat

Different types of reef flats and also around fringing reefs and similar areas where the water is often cloudy.

Diet

Like other corals favia coral is able to photo synthesize using a symbiotic algae. Favia coral reveals its small tentacles on its polyps during the night. These tentacles are used to catch small bits of food floating in the water.

Life History

Colonies of coral can divide in order to create new colonies. Favia corals, much like other coral species, will broadcast spawn. Eggs are released into the water and hatch in the water column. Larvae settle to the sea floor and create new colonies of coral!

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Much like other corals, favia corals are ecosystem engineers. The large skeleton that corals construct act as hiding spots and habitats for other species. Simply by living their lives, corals are able to build entire ecosystems around themselves.
Widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific. Found in tropical regions of the Atlantic Ocean
This animal is not native to the Oregon Coast, however is found in the larger Pacific Ocean. It lives in the Aquarium as part of our Connected Coasts gallery.
Favia corals are one of the most commonly found corals in shallow waters.

Citations & Other Resources

  • J. E. N. Veron. 1993. Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hi, USA.
  • WoRMS Editorial Board (2026). World Register of Marine Species. Available from https://www.marinespecies.org at VLIZ. Accessed 2026-03-24. doi:10.14284/170