Red War Favia

Red War Favia Care Guide: A Fiery Standout for Your Reef Tank

The Red War Favia is a dramatic, eye-catching LPS coral that brings intense red and contrasting green or black patterns to any reef aquarium. Its bold coloration, relatively easy care, and slow, manageable growth make it a favorite for both beginners and seasoned reef keepers.

Placement and Lighting for Red War Favia

Getting placement and lighting right is the key to keeping your Red War Favia colorful and healthy. This coral typically prefers moderate light and gentle to moderate flow.

  • Lighting: Low to moderate PAR (60–150). Too much light can cause fading or bleaching.
  • Flow: Low to moderate, indirect flow to keep detritus off the tissue without blasting the polyps.
  • Placement: Often does best on the sand bed or lower rockwork, away from high-intensity LEDs.

Always acclimate your Red War Favia to brighter lighting slowly. Start it in a shaded area and move it gradually over a couple of weeks to avoid shock.

Water Parameters and Feeding

Like most LPS corals, Red War Favia appreciates stability more than perfection. Aim for clean, consistent conditions and it will reward you with rich color and strong polyp extension.

  • Temperature: 24–26°C (75–79°F)
  • Salinity: 1.025–1.026 specific gravity
  • Alkalinity: 8–9.5 dKH
  • Calcium: 400–450 ppm
  • Magnesium: 1300–1400 ppm
  • Nitrate: 2–15 ppm; Phosphate: 0.03–0.08 ppm

Red War Favia is photosynthetic but benefits greatly from supplemental feeding. At night, its feeding tentacles extend, ready to capture food.

  • Target feed 1–2 times per week with small meaty foods (mysis, finely chopped seafood, or quality coral foods).
  • Turn off or reduce flow during feeding so food can settle on the polyps.
  • Avoid overfeeding to prevent nutrient spikes and algae issues.

Tip: Use a turkey baster or coral feeder to gently deliver food directly to the extended polyps after lights out.

Compatibility, Growth, and Long-Term Care

Red War Favia is generally hardy, but it is a semi-aggressive coral that can extend sweeper tentacles at night. Give it some personal space on the rockwork.

  • Leave at least 5–7 cm (2–3 inches) between it and other corals.
  • Keep away from delicate SPS and fleshy LPS that are easily stung.
  • Watch for tissue recession along the edges, which can signal irritation or unstable parameters.

This coral grows slowly, forming a dome or encrusting mound over time. Regular observation and good husbandry will keep its colors vivid for years.

More Coral Care Resources

Looking to build a balanced LPS collection alongside your Red War Favia? Check out our guides on Acan Lord care and Torch coral care for more lighting, flow, and feeding tips.

For a broader overview of maintaining a stable reef system, visit our reef tank beginner’s guide to ensure your water chemistry and equipment are dialed in before adding high-value corals like the Red War Favia.