How difficult is it to keep Flat Leaf Coral?

Advanced. This is an advanced-level species. It requires specialized equipment and advanced husbandry skills with precise environmental control.

What is the ideal temperature for Flat Leaf Coral?

The ideal temperature for Flat Leaf Coral is 24〜27℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.

How large does Flat Leaf Coral get?

Flat Leaf Coral typically reaches Wild colonies 70-100 cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What should I feed Flat Leaf Coral?

Flat Leaf Coral feeds on: Photosynthesis (zooxanthellae) plus plankton. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

What is the typical price for Flat Leaf Coral?

The price of Flat Leaf Coral varies significantly depending on variety, size, and individual quality. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Flat Leaf Coral

Advanced

Pavona explanulata

A Pavona that forms encrusting sheets or thin one-sided plates with widely spaced round corallites and pillar-like columellae. Grey, brown, pink, purple, green or yellow; it resembles Leptoseris explanata but has larger corallites.

Difficulty

Advanced

Temperature

24〜27℃

Size

Wild colonies 70-100 cm

Diet

Photosynthesis (zooxanthellae) plus plankton

About

Pavona explanulata is a stony coral of the family Agariciidae found from the Red Sea and East Africa across the Indian Ocean to Australia, the Philippines and the central Pacific. Colonies are encrusting or thin plates with corallites on one side only, sometimes submassive or columnar. The corallites are usually widely spaced and circular with pillar-like columellae and smooth, alternating septo-costae, sometimes in concentric rows. Colour is grey, brown, pink, purple, green or yellow, sometimes mottled (Corals of the World). Most Pavona have corallites on both faces, but this species has them on one side only and so resembles Leptoseris explanata; the key difference is corallite size, which is smaller in L. explanata. Despite its wide range, Reeflex describes it as an uncommon coral of clear, steep slopes down to 40 m that is not regularly offered in the trade. It is not a beginner coral, and wild colonies reach 70-100 cm (Reeflex). Specialist shops in Japan stock it by name from time to time.

Size of the Flat Leaf Coral

The Flat Leaf Coral grows to Wild colonies 70-100 cm.

Temperature & humidity for the Flat Leaf Coral

The ideal temperature for the Flat Leaf Coral is 24〜27℃.

Basic Info

Origin

Red Sea and Indian Ocean to the central Pacific

Size

Wild colonies 70-100 cm

Temperature

24〜27℃

Diet

Care Specifications

Water Temp.: 24–27℃
Specific Gravity: 1.023–1.025
Salinity: 33–35 ppt

LPS

Sources: Corals of the World (Pavona explanulata) / Reeflex (Pavona explanulata) / AlgaeBarn: Water Parameters 101

References & Sources

Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team

The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.

Primary sources

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Pavona explanulata (Lamarck, 1816)

Synonyms: Agaricia explanulata Lamarck, 1816, Lophoseris explanulata (Lamarck, 1816), Pavonia explanulata (Lamarck, 1816)

Authority databases: WoRMS · GBIF · GBIF · WoRMS · Corals of the World

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.

Regulations & Conservation Status

CITES Appendix IIIUCN LC · Least Concern

Domestic law: Collecting in Japanese waters is governed by each prefecture's fisheries adjustment regulations, which differ by prefecture. Okinawa bans all collection of reef-building corals, including stony corals, and also bans possessing or selling illegally collected corals (cultured corals are exempt, and the prefecture advises buyers to confirm a coral is cultured, on an artificial base or tagged). Tokyo bans collection in the waters off Ogasawara Village. In marine park zones of national and quasi-national parks, taking designated animals and plants requires a permit (Natural Parks Act, Art. 22).

All stony corals (Scleractinia) are listed in CITES Appendix II (checked on Species+). International trade requires export permits, but no registration is needed to sell or transfer specimens within Japan.

Sources: Species+ (CITES listing of Pavona explanulata) / Okinawa Prefecture: Collection of reef-building corals is prohibited / Tokyo Metropolitan Fisheries Adjustment Regulations (Arts. 37 and 41) / e-Gov: Natural Parks Act (Art. 22, marine park zones)

Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.