TankBud

Shoulderblade coral

Pavona clavus

Also known as Swollen Coral, Column Pavona, Pavona

SaltwaterCoral

Shoulderblade coral (Pavona clavus)
Anne Hoggett · CC BY 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
19.7 in
50 cm
Minimum tank
26 gal
100 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Photosynthetic
Difficulty
Beginner
Breeding
Easy
Rarity
Rare
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Agariciidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific, on reef slopes, flats and lagoons, from shallow water down to moderate depth

Overview

The shoulderblade coral is a resilient, adaptable massive Pavona and an easy coral to start with. It suits a keeper who wants something sturdier than the thin plates.

Did you know

The shoulderblade coral builds colonies of smooth, uniform columns. Its shoulderblade and swollen coral names both point at those rounded, club-like projections, which set it apart from the ridged mounds of Pavona duerdeni.

Caring for the shoulderblade coral

The shoulderblade coral forgives a wide range of light and flow, which is a large part of its appeal. In the aquarium it grows as a hardy encrusting and columnar coral. Its encrusting base spreads over time, so give it room on its own rock.

Its real requirement is steady water chemistry rather than a feeding routine. Hold the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4, and avoid swings. Feeding is optional, since it lives mostly on light.

It is not aggressive, and it holds its columnar shape well. Give it a tank of at least 26 gal (100 L) so the spreading base has space.

Good to know

The shoulderblade coral, Pavona clavus, is a massive stony coral in the family Agariciidae. It relies on symbiotic algae, or zooxanthellae, and is a significant reef framework builder across its wide range. Growth banding in its dense skeleton has made colonies useful to scientists as long-term records of past ocean conditions. It reaches the trade less often than the common leafy Pavona.

In the wild

The shoulderblade coral is found across the Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific, on reef slopes, flats and lagoons. It lives from shallow water down to moderate depth. Its columns are usually finger to fist thick, though it can spread as flattened plates where conditions push it.

Common questions

What size tank does a shoulderblade coral need?

A shoulderblade coral needs at least 26 gal (100 L).

What temperature and pH does a shoulderblade coral need?

A shoulderblade coral is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a shoulderblade coral eat?

A shoulderblade coral lives mostly on light, so feeding is optional. Steady water chemistry matters more to it than a feeding routine.

How big does a shoulderblade coral get?

An adult shoulderblade coral reaches about 19.7 in (50 cm).

Related species