Sector 001 Favites Brain

Sector 001 Favites Brain: The Collector's Blue and Green Gem

The Sector 001 Favites Brain is a highly popular and coveted collector strain of Favites coral, a type of Large Polyp Stony (LPS) coral. Favites species are often known as "Brain Corals" or "War Corals" and are prized for their hardiness and dense, honeycomb-like structure.

This specific strain is named for its distinctive, powerful, and contrasting coloration: a dominant base color of deep metallic blue or violet that covers the walls (septa/coenosteum) and is intensely accented by individual corallite mouths (centers) in vibrant neon green or chartreuse. This coloration creates a dramatic, jewel-like appearance, especially under actinic (blue) lighting.

The Sector 001 Favites Brain grows in an encrusting and massive or dome-shaped morphology, with the corallites tightly packed. It is considered a Hardy LPS coral, making it a great option for intermediate hobbyists. Its maximum blue and green color saturation requires stable, pristine water and moderate light intensity.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: This coral is a Mixotroph, meaning it is primarily Photosynthetic (deriving most energy from symbiotic algae) but is also a capable Carnivore.
• Feeding: Supplemental target feeding is highly beneficial for promoting dense tissue and vibrant growth. Its mouths are receptive to fine particulate foods, especially when polyps are extended at night. Feed 2-3 times per week with meaty foods, such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, cyclops, or fine coral foods like Reef Roids and amino acid solutions.
• Reef Compatibility: It is Reef Safe but is Aggressive. Favites corals, like many other brain corals, extend long, powerful sweeper tentacles at night to stake their territory. It is crucial to give the Sector 001 Favites at least 3-4 inches of clear space from all neighboring corals to prevent stinging and tissue damage.
• Temperament: Peaceful toward fish and motile invertebrates, but Aggressive/Territorial toward other corals. It should be positioned on mid-to-lower rockwork where it receives moderate, indirect light and moderate water flow. Avoid directing strong, laminar flow directly onto its fleshy tissue.
• Water Requirements: Requires stable parameters. The tank should be mature with low to moderate nutrient levels (Nitrate 5-10 ppm, Phosphate 0.05-0.1 ppm). Critical parameters: Alkalinity (dKH 8.0-9.5), Calcium (400-450 ppm), and Magnesium (1250-1350 ppm). Demands Moderate PAR lighting (100-200 PAR).

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Favites sp. (Specific Strain)
• Primary Common Name: Sector 001 Favites Brain
• Other Common Names: Blue Base Green Center Favites, Sector 001 War Coral
• Origin: Cultured/Maricultured (Originals from the Indo-Pacific)
• Max Size: Can grow into large, dome-shaped colonies (8-12+ inches)
• Temperament: Aggressive (Territorial, uses potent sweeper tentacles)
• Diet: Photosynthetic and Carnivore (Benefits greatly from target feeding)
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 Gallons (Established reef)
• Reef Compatibility: Yes, but requires strict spacing.
• Care Level: Moderate