Montipora Danae
The Montipora danae corals is a relatively common type of coral and a variety of them in a range of colors are readily available. The most famous Montipora danae is the rainbow montipora, which has an incredible array of colorful polyps. More common Montipora danae come in brown, pink, blue and green. They are an SPS coral, small polyp stony coral in the Acroporidae family of corals.
Montipora Danae Behavior & Appearance
The Montipora danae is a peaceful coral and with other serene corals can lively nicely in a reef aquarium tank. They are not an aggressive coral. They dont grow to be very tall, but they can be rather wide. Montipora danaes are ridged and bumpy and their polyps are not close together like other montipora varieties. The Montipora danae appear in cauliflower-like shape and have concave surfaces with wide, large polyps. These polyps will expand in the evenings and if placed too closely to other colors, they can damage them.
Montipora Danae Ideal Environment
Similar to other polyp montiporas, Montipora danaes need proper lighting and water movement. For lighting, they need medium-high light. Most lighting arrangements in reef aquarium tanks will suit the Montipora danae. This type of coral is stress-resistant and can thrive in the highest of lights, like metal halides, but also do fine with T-5s, VHOs and power compacts. Corals survive through the process of photosynthesis and without proper light, they cannot survive. Light is what triggers the natural chemical process to convert the simple sugars into the algae that montipora use for food.
Montipora Danae Water Movement
When montiporas have larger polyps like those on the Montipora danae, the water flow needs to be moderate to ensure that the polyps can gain enough plankton from the water. In nature, these types of polyp corals are affixed to the side of reef ridges in shallow water and they are used to the ebb and flow of constantly moving water.
Montipora Danae Additives
Every reef aquarium tank should be carefully monitored for calcium and other trace elements. The proper calcium balance is critical for montiporas to thrive, including this variety, the Montipora danae. Calcium supplements and strontium may need to be added to the water to gain the optimal balance of these chemicals. Further, reef aquarium owners should add supplements like zooplankton or another filter feeder to their essential list of supplies. Montiporas will grow to their fullest if fed a supplement once a week.
Montipora Danae Temperature
Montipora corals should be kept in warm salt water. For Montipora danaes, the reef tanks temperature should be no warmer than 80 degrees and preferably in the range of 72-78 degrees. Lights can add more heat than you intended, and it is important, especially with metal halide lights, to keep them further above the tank. Excess lighting will also damage montiporas natural colors.
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