ORA Mint Pavona
A variant of Pavona (cactus / potato chip coral) (Pavona cactus)
Representative Pavona (cactus / potato chip coral)photo — a dedicated image of this exact morph isn't available yet.
A thin, leafy, fast-growing **Pavona frondifera** with a soft mint-green coloration that glows under blue/actinic light. Grows in a compact, frilly, foliose colony rather than the chunky branching of *maldivensis* or the ruffled plates of *cactus*.
📜 Backstory
An ORA (Oceans, Reefs & Aquariums) aquacultured line released around 2013, derived from a *Pavona frondifera* strain ORA obtained from reef-keeping author Julian Sprung years earlier. ORA states the frags sold today are six to seven generations removed from the original wild colonies, with no wild tissue or skeleton remaining. It is carried directly by ORA (orafarm.com) and widely by ORA dealers such as AlgaeBarn and Bulk Reef Supply, making it the most common named Pavona in the hobby.
Keeper tips for this variant
Give it low-to-medium light (lower than typical *Pavona cactus*) and gentle-to-moderate flow on a low rock or sand ledge. It grows fast and will quickly encrust and shade neighbors, so leave room. One of the more forgiving SPS corals, well suited to beginners.