Favia sp. - Few days after being added to display
Picture taken November 2005, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Sigma 105mm EX macro lens

Family: Faviidae.

Favia (fay'-vee-ah) are some of the most common corals in the world. They are typically massive, domed or rounded shaped. Feeding tentacles emerge at night (see picture below), the flesh typically remains expanded during the day.

Favites spp. corals look very much like Favia spp. corals except that they have shared walls between the corallites whereas the Favia spp. such as the one above have individual walls for each corallite.

This coral is about 6 inches in diameter and 4 inches in height.

Favia sp. - Macro picture of polyps.
Picture taken December 2005, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Sigma 105mm EX macro lens

Macro view of favia polyps. The center of each individual polyp has a mouth. At night the feeding tentacles come out.

Favia sp. - Viewed from above.
Picture taken December 2005, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Nikkor 18-70mm DX lens

This shows the coral as viewed from above with my Acrylic Camera Box.

The coral is changing colors. The stripe pattern is interesting but I like the bluish color it had originally better.

Favia sp. - Feeding Tentacles.
Picture taken January 2006, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Sigma 105mm macro lens

This image shows one of the rare times this Favia sp. coral extended its feeding tentacles during the day.

Favia sp. - Nine months later.
Picture taken September 2006, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Nikkor 18-70mm DX lens

This was taken nine months after the images above. It has been growing well and displays amazing feeding tentacles at night.

Favia sp. - 18 months later.
Picture taken March 2008, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Nikkor 18-70mm DX lens

I can't believe it was 18 months since I posted a picture of this coral.

It clearly has gained girth in every direction.