Montipora coral frags

Montipora offers branching, plating and encrusting forms, each with different space requirements. A plate may shade the reef beneath it, a branching colony can restrict water movement as it fills in, and an encrusting variety needs a boundary around the rock it will cover.

Most Montipora benefits from suitable bright reef lighting and substantial circulation after acclimation. Keep conditions consistent and revisit placement as the colony grows; light exposure, flow paths and calcium or alkalinity demand can all change with successful growth. Different varieties also vary in sensitivity, so avoid assuming every Montipora grows at the same pace.

Photosynthesis is central to their nutrition, while fine suspended foods can be an optional supplement. Keep debris off the surface and preserve clearance from aggressive neighbours. Judge progress by sustained tissue coverage and growth as well as colour, which can change between aquariums.