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Montipora
Montipora sp.
Also known as Monti, Montis, Montipora Coral, Encrusting Montipora, Plating Montipora
Animalia›Cnidaria›Anthozoa›Scleractinia›Acroporidae
📍 Indo-Pacific Reef Systems
Montipora is a diverse SPS coral genus second only to Acropora in species diversity, available in plating, branching, and encrusting growth forms in a wide array of colours. It is considered the entry-level SPS coral, more forgiving than Acropora but still demanding stable water parameters, high light, and good flow. Plating Montipora varieties are particularly popular for adding mid-level horizontal structure and bold colour to reef aquariums.
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Tank Mates
Reef-safe fish that do not nip or damage corals; compatible with SPS systems
Beneficial reef inhabitants that maintain water quality without harming corals
Reef-safe and beneficial; may occasionally disturb substrate but does not damage corals
Small, reef-safe fish that contribute to tank health without threatening corals
Both are SPS corals; space carefully to prevent allelopathic competition and overgrowth
Common Diseases
Brown Jelly Disease (Coral Plague)
Brown, jelly-like tissue sloughing off coral skeleton; rapid tissue recession; visible brown mucus
Isolate affected coral immediately; perform daily 50% water changes; treat with antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin) if available; improve water quality and reduce stressors; remove dead tissue carefully
Coral Bleaching
Loss of color; coral appears white or pale; zooxanthellae expulsion visible as cloudiness
Reduce light intensity temporarily; lower water temperature to 24–25°C; improve water flow; ensure stable alkalinity (8–10 dKH) and calcium (400–450 ppm); perform water changes; avoid sudden parameter shifts
Algae Overgrowth
Excessive algae covering coral surface; reduced light penetration; tissue irritation
Manually remove algae; reduce nutrient levels (phosphate, nitrate); increase water flow; introduce algae-eating invertebrates; maintain consistent lighting schedule; perform regular water changes
Parasitic Infection (Zoanthid Eating Nudibranch)
Visible small slugs on coral; tissue damage; polyp recession; holes in coral tissue
Remove visible parasites manually with tweezers; dip coral in freshwater or iodine solution; quarantine affected coral; inspect rockwork for eggs; improve water quality and flow
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Photosynthetic (zooxanthellae); absorbs dissolved organics and fine coral foods
- flow
- Moderate to high
- lifespan
- Decades
- lighting
- High (150–300 PAR)
- placement
- Mid to upper rockwork; plating forms on horizontal surfaces
- tank size
- 40 gallons minimum SPS reef
- temperament
- Encrusting growth can overgrow adjacent corals; space accordingly
Water it likes
- ph
- 8.1–8.4
- calcium
- 400–450 ppm
- nitrate
- 1–8 ppm
- salinity
- 1.024–1.026 SG
- magnesium
- 1250–1350 ppm
- phosphate
- 0.03–0.08 ppm
- alkalinity
- 8–10 dKH
- temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record for this species.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — always confirm the current regulations with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping, or shipping this species.