Red Montipora
Red montipora, a member of the Montipora capricornis family, is a small polyp stony (SPS) coral. Like other montipora capricornis coral, the red montipora is often referred to as a vase coral. The recognizable red montipora are deep red, almost close to a rust color, and look like a wide-mouthed vase or large shallow bowl. They can grow to be more than three inches in diameter. Red montipora are part of the Acroporidae family of corals.
Red Montipora Behavior
Like all montiporas, the red montipora is a peaceful, serene coral. It does well with similar types of montipora and other corals in a reef environment under the right conditions. The majority of red montipora used for reef aquariums are aquacultured and therefore easier to take care of due to their easy adaptability to established reef environments.
Red Montipora in the Reef Aquarium
Red montiporas require medium water flow. Water movement is important for montiporas in a nature they are typically shallow dwellers that are accustomed to the breaking of water near the surface. Most coral and reef aquarium fish react well to medium water movement. Water flow is simulated through pumps and overflow systems within aquarium tanks. Water temperature should be maintained between 72 and 78 degrees and no warmer than 80 degrees. Most montipora originate from the warm, shallow waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, as well as the Red Sea, so replicating a warmer water temperature in your tank will maintain the red montiporas health.
Red Montipora Growth
Since red montiporas can grow rather large, they are often sold as fragments for reef aquariums. The aquacultured red montiporas are sturdier than they are in nature and can better handle shipping and a new tank environment. Given the right water flow and lighting conditions, the red montipora fragments can grow pretty rapidly. Red montipora fragments are usually sold secured onto a cultured aragonite. The aragonite can be placed into your tank either on a piece of rock or between rocks.
Red Montipora Lighting
Red montiporas will do fine under most reef aquarium lighting systems. They should receive three watts of light per gallon. Fluorescents, like a T-5, VHOs, power compacts and metal halide lighting are fine for red montiporas. They are sturdy corals and can fight the stresses of heavy light pretty well, but do best under medium light.
Red Montipora Additives
As part of your reef aquarium maintenance, add calcium and strontium supplements to the water. Red montipora respond well to the added supplements. Calcium, in particular, is valuable to maintain the strength of the corals skeleton. Red montiporas can also be feed a micro-plankton once a week to bolster their plankton (food) development. Red montiporas are a strong coral that will thrive under the common needs of other corals which makes them a great choice for an at-home reef aquarium environment.
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