Pomona

The Pavona Coral (often phonetically called “Pomona”) is the unsung hero of the SPS world. Known as the Cactus Coral, Lettuce Coral, or Potato Chip Coral, it is one of the hardiest stony corals in existence. While most SPS (Small Polyp Stony) corals like Acropora are finicky, Pavona is famously “bulletproof.” It features a unique, fuzzy texture due to its tiny polyps and grows in stunning, thin, waving plates or upright ridges that look like a cluster of desert cacti. Under actinic lighting, the neon green and orange varieties have a metallic shimmer that few other corals can match.

Coloration:  electric neon green

Size: 0.5 – 1 inch frag (grows rapidly into large, sculptural colonies that can take over several inches of rockwork).

Lighting: Moderate (100–250 PAR; it is very adaptable and can thrive in lower light than most SPS, though its color is brightest under mid-range intensity).

Water flow: Medium to High (strong, chaotic flow is essential to prevent detritus from settling in its deep ridges, which can cause the tissue to rot).

Feeding: Primarily photosynthetic; however, it has a high surface area and will “slime up” to capture particulate foods or amino acids from the water column.

Aggressiveness: Very Aggressive (it looks peaceful, but Pavona is a “warrior” coral; it possesses powerful mesenterial filaments that can digest neighbors that get too close).

Care Level: Beginner (the perfect “starter” SPS coral).