Montipora hispida

(Dana, 1846)

Column Montipora

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Common on the Great Barrier Reef, yet uncommon elsewhere.

Natural Environment: Inhabits turbid reef areas and seen at depths between 3 to 130 feet (1 - 40 m).

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade.

Care should be taken as to its position in the aquarium, as this species is basically defenseless against other corals, even those that are not overly aggressive. An occasional strong wave of water movement to help keep detritus from collecting on its surfaces is highly recommended.

Even though fully capable of producing all its nutritional needs via photosynthesis, plankton-like foodstuffs fed occasionally may be beneficial/promote quicker growth.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Acroporidae

Genus: Montipora

FYI: Has several growth forms, such as plating or whorl-shape with both having irregular shaped upward columns and usually brown.

Cultured specimens exist in the trade that may exhibit very bright colors, therefore ask under what PAR conditions it was grown in so you may continue to see it maintain its health/colors!

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 74 - 83°F (23 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Lighting: PAR 300 - 450+

Water Movement: WM 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.