Description
Favia are a genus of reef-building stony corals, known for their massive or thickly encrusting colonies, often dome-shaped or flat. They are commonly referred to as brain corals or closed brain corals, and are part of the family Mussidae. Favia corals are characterized by having individual walls for each corallite, and they have sweeper tentacles which can extend and sting other corals.
Here's a more detailed description:
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Growth Form:
Favia corals can grow in various shapes, including massive, dome-shaped, or encrusting.
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Corallites:
The corallites, which are the individual cups where the polyps live, are plocoid (placing them in a cone shape) and often have their own walls.
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Septa and Costae:
These structures are well-developed and covered with fine teeth, contributing to the coral's intricate structure.
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Polyps:
Favia polyps extend and feed at night, using their tentacles to capture prey and assess their surroundings.
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Sweeper Tentacles:
These tentacles are used to "sweep" the water and detect nearby corals, potentially leading to aggression and "coral wars".
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Habitat:
Favia corals are found in various reef environments, including shallow water and deeper slopes.
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Color:
They can display a wide range of colors, including pale grey, green, brown, and often have calices of contrasting colors
