Encrusting montipora
Montipora confusa
Also known as Sunset Montipora, Purple Edge Montipora, Encrusting Monti, Rainbow Montipora, Montipora
SaltwaterCoral
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 26 gal
- 100 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Photosynthetic
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Acroporidae
- Origin
- Found on Indo-Pacific reefs, growing as encrusting sheets over rock and rubble on shallow slopes.
Overview
The Encrusting montipora is a peaceful, fast-spreading coral for a reef tank. It suits a reef keeper with a little experience.
Caring for the encrusting montipora
Grow the Encrusting montipora in a reef of at least 26 gal (100 L), with moderate to strong flow. Give it moderate to bright light around 250 to 450 PAR to hold its color.
Keep calcium, alkalinity and magnesium in reef range, with the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Montipora are among the best small polyp stony corals for newer SPS keepers. They forgive minor swings better than Acropora. It builds its skeleton with help from zooxanthellae.
The Encrusting montipora is basically defenseless against other corals, so mount it where more aggressive neighbors cannot reach it. Ideally give it its own grow-out rock, because it spreads fast. It grows outward steadily once it grips a surface.
Good to know
The Encrusting montipora is a member of the family Acroporidae, the same family as Acropora and the other Montipora. It sometimes throws up short knobs or plating at the edges, and its fine, evenly textured surface is typical of encrusting Montipora. The sunset form has an orange to red base with contrasting neon green polyps. Hobbyists sometimes debate the exact species identity of these prized color morphs.
In the wild
The Encrusting montipora is found on Indo-Pacific reefs, growing as encrusting sheets over rock and rubble on shallow slopes. Wild colonies are often yellow-green or brown with pale ridges.
Common questions
What size tank does an encrusting montipora need?
An encrusting montipora needs at least 26 gal (100 L).
What temperature and pH does an encrusting montipora need?
An encrusting montipora is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does an encrusting montipora eat?
An Encrusting montipora builds its skeleton with help from zooxanthellae. Give it moderate to bright light, around 250 to 450 PAR.
How big does an encrusting montipora get?
An adult encrusting montipora reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
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