Montipora verrucosa

Datasheet

General Description

The Montipora Coral, Dimpled Encrusting is a small polyp stony (SPS) coral known for its encrusting, massive structure with large bumps or verrucae resembling tapioca. This coral species features a vivid blue coloration, enhancing the aesthetics of a home reef aquarium. It is also referred to as Rice Coral and is peaceful, suitable for placement near similar peaceful corals in a reef environment.

Demands and Hardiness

Montipora Coral, Dimpled Encrusting is moderately difficult to maintain and thrives in a mature reef aquarium setup. It requires medium lighting and intermittent water movement to support its health. Additionally, supplementation of calcium, strontium, and trace elements is necessary for its continued well-being. This coral can adapt to various lighting conditions, from power compacts to metal halides, and benefits from weekly feeding of micro-plankton or specifically designed filter-feeding invertebrate foods.

Lighting

For optimal growth and coloration, Montipora Coral, Dimpled Encrusting benefits from high lighting levels, preferably high output fluorescent bulbs (T5) or metal halide (MH) lighting systems. The coral may exhibit color changes based on the provided lighting intensity, necessitating adjustment of its position within the aquarium to maintain its vibrancy.

Water Flow

Montipora Coral, Dimpled Encrusting thrives in environments with medium to strong water movement. Strong water flow is recommended to ensure the coral's well-being and to mimic its natural habitat conditions, promoting proper nutrient uptake and waste removal.

Feeding

While Montipora Coral mainly relies on its zooxanthellae for nutrition, direct feeding is beneficial for its health. Feeding a mix of small meaty rotifer-based foods with vitamin additives and highly unsaturated fatty acids is recommended. Use of cloudy supernate from thawed frozen foods sprayed onto the coral colonies with a turkey baster can provide essential nutrients.

Propagation

Montipora Coral, Dimpled Encrusting, like other Acropora species, is suitable for extensive propagation efforts in captivity. With proper care and aquaculture techniques, sustainable harvesting of this coral genus can be achieved over time, contributing to conservation and availability in the marine aquarium trade.

Localization & Habitat

Originating from the Indo-Pacific region, Montipora Coral, Dimpled Encrusting is found in various islands, including Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. Its peaceful nature and adaptability make it a sought-after addition to diverse reef ecosystems worldwide.