Reverse Prism Favia

Reverse Prism Favia, Dipsastraea sp. (commonly sold in the aquarium trade as Favia), is a massive to encrusting stony coral known for its fleshy polyps, pronounced corallite walls, and strong contrasting coloration. This specimen displays rich orange to reddish-orange tissue across the raised ridges, with intense fluorescent green coloration surrounding the mouths and extending into the recessed corallite centers. Fine fluorescent speckling across the tissue adds additional contrast and gives the colony the vivid “Reverse Prism” appearance reflected in its name. Many corals historically sold as Favia have been reassigned taxonomically to other genera, including Dipsastraea, so genus-level identification as Dipsastraea sp. is the more scientifically conservative designation for this aquarium specimen.

Care Guide: Dipsastraea sp. generally performs well under low to moderate reef lighting with gentle to moderate, variable water movement. Flow should be sufficient to keep debris from collecting between the corallites without continuously blasting the fleshy tissue. Place the coral securely on rockwork with room for gradual outward growth and adequate separation from neighboring corals. Maintain stable temperature and salinity along with consistent alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium to support skeletal development. Nitrate and phosphate should remain measurable and reasonably stable rather than being driven excessively low. Photosynthesis provides much of the coral’s nutritional energy, although occasional targeted feeding with appropriately sized marine foods can provide supplemental nutrition. Allow space from neighboring corals because feeding and defensive tentacles may extend beyond the visible tissue margin, especially after lights-out.