Digitata montipora
Montipora digitata
Family : Acroporidae
Montipora digitata is a branching SPS coral popular in reef aquaria for its fast growth and bright coloration. It requires intense lighting and moderate to strong water flow.
Description
Montipora digitata forms branching colonies with digitate branches 1–2 cm in diameter, reaching up to 30 cm in height. The polyps are small and retractile, revealing a porous coenosteum. Coloration ranges from brown to green, pink, or orange, often with lighter tips. It is a fast-growing species, especially under optimal conditions. There is no pronounced sexual dimorphism, but asexual reproduction via fragmentation is common. In aquaria, it may develop sweeper tentacles at night but is generally peaceful.
Habitat
Region :
Montipora digitata is primarily found on upper reef slopes and shallow lagoons, where water is clear and well-oxygenated. It forms dense digitate colonies, often exposed to strong water flow. This species thrives under intense light and oligotrophic conditions. It can also colonize hard substrates on reef flats.
Distribution :
Recommended parameters
Care
Care notes
A minimum tank size of 100 liters is recommended for a small fragment, but 200 liters or more is preferable for a mature colony. Parameters must be stable: temperature 24-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.023-1.025, calcium 400-450 ppm, magnesium 1300-1500 ppm, KH 8-12 dKH. Intense lighting (LED or T5) and moderate to strong flow are essential. Nutrition is primarily photosynthetic, but feeding with phytoplankton or fine particulate matter can be beneficial. Beware of allelopathy with other corals; provide adequate spacing.
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