Cactus Coral

About

Cactus coral (Pavona distincta) is one of the more forgiving stony corals available to reef keepers, making it a reasonable starting point for hobbyists who are just beginning to work with LPS and encrusting species. The colony grows in thin, wavy plates and sheets with a distinctly ridged surface texture, which is where the common names 'lettuce coral' and 'potato chip coral' come from. Each describes that same folded, undulating form from a slightly different angle. Coloration tends toward greens, browns, and tans, driven largely by the zooxanthellae living within the tissue, and the surface has a fine, almost velvety appearance when the polyps are extended. In the wild, Pavona distincta is found across a broad range that stretches through the East and West Pacific and along the North African coastline, where it typically occupies lower-energy reef zones with reduced surge and moderate to dim light. That natural preference translates well to aquarium life. This coral does not demand intense lighting or heavy flow, and it tends to be tolerant of the kinds of minor fluctuations that come with a maturing reef system. It is reef safe and generally non-aggressive toward neighbors, though giving it reasonable space as it encrusts and spreads is still good practice.