Superman Montipora
The superman montipora, a very exotic coral, is a very highly sought after coral by reef tank enthusiasts. They are commonly described as the Montipora danae coral species, but can be confused with Montipora verrucosa, Montipora verruculosus and Montipora palawanensis.
Superman Montipora Acroporidae
The superman montipora is of the Acroporidae family and they can be found in nature in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and the Red Sea. They can be very expensive, as they are commonly imported from Indonesia. However, some fragments are now being sold that are aquacultured and therefore less expensive. Having a wild superman montipora in your reef aquarium tank is considered very high end.
Superman Montipora Danae
Like other montiporas, the Montipora danae, or superman montipora as its commonly called is a gentle, peaceful coral. It can be placed with other similar type corals in a reef tank. Under the right conditions, it can grow rather wide, so space is needed to allow for its proper growth. The superman montipora is moderately difficult to take care of, like most montiporas. To properly take care of your superman montipora, add calcium and strontium supplements to the tank water. They also respond to weekly feedings of mico-plankton. This combination, along with proper lighting, medium to high water movement and proper care will help the superman montipora to remain healthy.
Superman Montipora Lighting
Like other Montipora danae species, the superman montipora requires medium light conditions. Montipora superman is susceptible to coral bleaching which can occur when there is too much light. In coral bleaching, the color fades from the coral and their ability to make zooxanthellae, corals food source, is negatively affected. Similar to all corals, light provides the key element to ensuring that the photosynthesis that occurs in nature from the sun is replicated in reef aquarium tanks.
Superman Montipora Colors
Superman montipora come in a range of colors. The major color is blue-green but they can be orange, as well. Their polyps are a dark red-orange. The characteristic blue coral with red polyps is what gave the coral its name of Superman as it is similar to the heros characteristic colors.
Superman Montipora Characteristics
Superman montipora have very bumpy surface and are not plated, but encrusting they grow round and wide like a dome shape. Due to their bumpy surface, they require moderate to high water flow and their bumps slow down the water which allows the polyps to feed. Their shape and polyp structure makes them a fit for reef shelves in nature. In your reef tank, they do well on ridges or rocks. Regarding water temperature, superman montipora should not be kept in water more than 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Metal halide lighting has proven to help this coral keep its bright color. However, like other montiporas, they also do fine under VHO lighting or fluorescents.
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