Undata montipora

Montipora undata

Also known as Green Undata, Undata Monti

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
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Acroporidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific

Overview

The Undata montipora is a peaceful small polyp stony coral for a reef tank. It is best kept by someone with a little reef experience.

Did you know

The green undata is one of the longest circulating named Montipora in the hobby. It has passed from frag to frag for decades, while wild colonies stayed an uncommon sight in shops.

Caring for the Undata montipora

Give an Undata montipora brighter light than many Montipora want, roughly 200 to 300 PAR once it is acclimated. Moderate to strong flow keeps its ridges clean.

Grow it in a reef tank of at least 26 gal (100 L). Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Hold calcium, alkalinity and magnesium steady in reef range.

It has essentially no defenses, so mount it clear of aggressive neighbors. Give its plates room to expand.

Good to know

Montipora undata was described by Bernard in 1897 and belongs to the family Acroporidae, the same family as Acropora. The species name comes from the Latin for wavy, after the ridges and whorls sculpted into its surface. That texture sets it apart from smoother encrusting Montipora. Like other Montipora, it builds its skeleton with help from dense zooxanthellae, and its fine polyps are tiny for its large surface area. The popular aquarium form is green with pale cream growth margins.

In the wild

Montipora undata lives on upper reef slopes across the Indo-Pacific. There it encrusts over rock and throws up plates and ridges as it matures.

Common questions

What size tank does an Undata montipora need?

An Undata montipora needs at least 26 gal (100 L).

What temperature and pH does an Undata montipora need?

An Undata montipora is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

How big does an Undata montipora get?

An adult Undata montipora reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).

Related species