How difficult is it to keep Maldives Leaf Coral?

Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.

What is the ideal temperature for Maldives Leaf Coral?

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

How large does Maldives Leaf Coral get?

Maldives Leaf Coral typically reaches Clumps can exceed 1 m, but colonies under 30 cm are more usual (Wikipedia) as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What should I feed Maldives Leaf Coral?

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

What is the typical price for Maldives Leaf Coral?

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

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Maldives Leaf Coral

Intermediate

Pavona maldivensis

A Pavona that grows finger-like columns where waves are strong and thin plates or crusts in calm water. Usually grey-brown or green, but some glow bright orange thanks to the pigment phycoerythrin.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Temperature

24〜27℃

Lifespan

Little data available

Size

Clumps can exceed 1 m, but colonies under 30 cm are more usual (Wikipedia)

Diet

Photosynthesis (zooxanthellae) plus plankton

About

Pavona maldivensis is a stony coral of the family Agariciidae. Although named after the Maldives, it ranges from the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Madagascar across the Indian Ocean to northern Australia, southern Japan, the South China Sea and the central and eastern Pacific. Colonies are columnar and/or thin horizontal or encrusting plates, commonly mixing these forms: columns where wave action is strong, plates in protected habitats. Corallites are circular and of irregular sizes, sometimes aligned in parallel rows near plate margins (Corals of the World). It is usually grey-brown or green, but some colonies are bright orange because of an additional pigment, phycoerythrin, which fluoresces in daylight (Wikipedia). Corals of the World lists no similar species. It lives on shallow reef slopes, especially wave-exposed ones, and on vertical rock faces and in caverns. Pavona are known in aquaria as easy small stony corals (Wikipedia). Specialist shops in Japan stock it by name repeatedly.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Size of the Maldives Leaf Coral

The Maldives Leaf Coral grows to Clumps can exceed 1 m, but colonies under 30 cm are more usual (Wikipedia).

Temperature & humidity for the Maldives Leaf Coral

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

Basic Info

Origin

Shallow reef slopes from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to southern Japan and the central and eastern Pacific

Lifespan

Little data available

Size

Care Specifications

Water Temp.: 24–27℃
Specific Gravity: 1.023–1.025
Salinity: 33–35 ppt
Min. Tank: 150 L

LPS

Sources: Corals of the World (Pavona maldivensis) / Reeflex (Pavona maldivensis) / Wikipedia (Pavona maldivensis) / 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 maldivensis (Gardiner, 1905)

Synonyms: Siderastrea maldivensis Gardiner, 1905, Pavona pollicata Wells, 1954, Pseudocolumnastrea pollicata (Wells, 1954)

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 maldivensis) / 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.