Golden Pavona - Pavona sp.

Golden Pavona (Pavona sp.)

Golden Pavona is an attractive SPS coral valued for its warm golden colouration, textured surface and distinctive spreading growth. With its hardy nature compared with many small-polyp stony corals, it can be a rewarding choice for reef keepers looking to add structure, colour and natural reef texture to a stable marine aquarium.

Common Name:
Golden Pavona, Pavona Coral, Cactus Coral, Lettuce Coral

Scientific Name (Latin):
Pavona sp.

Coral Type:
SPS Coral

Growth Form:
Encrusting, plating to leafy or ridged growth form, depending on conditions and placement.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Pavona corals are found across Indo-Pacific reef environments, including reef slopes, lagoons and shallow reef structures where they receive good light, steady water movement and stable reef conditions.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Alkalinity: 7–10 dKH
Calcium: 400–450 ppm
Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
Nitrate: Low but detectable
Phosphate: Low but detectable

Lighting:
MEDIUM TO HIGH
Golden Pavona generally does well under medium to high reef lighting. It can be more forgiving than some delicate SPS corals, but should still be acclimated gradually to brighter light to avoid paling, bleaching or tissue stress.

Flow:
MEDIUM TO HIGH
Provide moderate to strong, indirect and random flow. Good water movement helps keep the textured surface free from detritus and supports healthy gas exchange. Avoid constant harsh flow directly blasting one area of the coral.

Placement:
Place on middle to upper rockwork where the coral can receive good light and steady flow. Allow space for outward growth and avoid placing it where it may shade or be shaded by faster-growing corals.

Temperament / Aggression:
Peaceful to semi-aggressive
Pavona is not usually highly aggressive, but it can compete for space as it grows and may irritate nearby corals on contact. Provide sensible spacing from neighbouring corals, particularly delicate SPS or fleshy LPS species.

Feeding:
Photosynthetic, but benefits from feeding
Golden Pavona receives most of its energy from light through its symbiotic zooxanthellae. It may benefit from fine coral foods, amino acids and very small particulate foods in a mature reef system, but heavy target feeding is not required.

Growth Rate:
Moderate
In a stable reef aquarium, Golden Pavona can grow steadily, developing a more textured, plating or ridged structure over time. Growth is best supported by stable alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, lighting and flow.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Golden Pavona is a relatively hardy SPS coral, but it still requires stable water chemistry and consistent maintenance. Avoid large swings in alkalinity, salinity or nutrients, and ensure detritus does not settle on the coral surface. Gradual light acclimation is recommended, especially when moving it into brighter areas. Inspect carefully before introduction and use coral dips where appropriate to reduce the risk of pests.

Suitable for:
Intermediate reefkeepers

Availability:
Regularly available in the coral trade

All images are a visual representation of the coral you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns, colours and growth form will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.