Encrusting Montipora
Montipora confusa
Also known as Sunset Montipora, Purple Edge Montipora, Encrusting Monti, Rainbow Montipora, Montipora
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
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Origin
- Found on Indo-Pacific reefs, growing as encrusting sheets over rock and rubble on shallow slopes.
- Family
- Acroporidae
Overview
Grow it in a 100 liter or larger reef with moderate to bright light around 250 to 450 PAR to hold color, plus moderate to strong flow. Keep calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium in reef range with temperature 24 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4. Montipora are among the best small polyp stony corals for newer SPS keepers because they forgive minor swings better than Acropora. It is basically defenseless against other corals, so mount it where more aggressive neighbors cannot reach it, ideally on its own grow-out rock since it spreads fast.
In the wild
A small polyp stony coral that spreads as a thin encrusting sheet over the rock, sometimes throwing up short knobs or plating at the edges. The popular sunset form has an orange to red base with contrasting neon green polyps, while wild colonies are often yellow-green or brown with pale ridges. The fine, evenly textured surface is typical of encrusting Montipora. It grows outward steadily once it grips a surface.
Good to know
Montipora confusa is a member of the family Acroporidae, the same family as Acropora and the other Montipora. The bright sunset and rainbow pieces traded under this name are prized color morphs whose exact species identity is sometimes debated among hobbyists. It is a small polyp stony coral that builds its skeleton with help from zooxanthellae.
Did you know
The sunset and rainbow color morphs sold under this name are so popular that a single fragged colony can seed an entire reef of matching encrusting patches.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- LiveAquaria Freshwater and saltwater fish, inverts and corals
- Saltwaterfish.com Marine fish, corals and inverts shipped overnight
- AlgaeBarn Copepods, macroalgae and captive-bred marine livestock
- Biota Captive-bred marine fish, corals and clams shipped direct
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
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Related species
Montipora Digitata (Finger Coral)
Montipora digitata7.9 in (20 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Montipora Plating (Cap Coral)
Montipora capricornis7.9 in (20 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Smooth Skin Acropora
Acropora tenuis9.8 in (25 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Alveopora Coral
Alveopora7.9 in (20 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Table Acropora
Acropora hyacinthus17.7 in (45 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Staghorn Acropora
Acropora9.8 in (25 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)