Bumpy Montipora
Montipora tuberculosa
Montipora tuberculosa forms encrusting or branching colonies with prominent tubercle-like corallites. Its color ranges from brown to green, sometimes pink or purple. The polyps are small and retractile, visible mainly at night. It is a hardy coral that tolerates slightly less stable conditions than other SPS. It grows quickly in calcium-rich and alkaline water. Its behavior is peaceful, but it can be sensitive to sudden parameter swings.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–27 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 |
| GH | 8–12 |
| KH | 8–12 |
| Salinity | 1.023–1.025 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 10 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.1 |
Care
Care notes
Stable parameters: temperature 24-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.023-1.025, calcium 400-450 ppm, magnesium 1250-1350 ppm. Intense lighting (LED or metal halide) required for growth and coloration. Moderate to strong flow recommended. Feeding: photosynthetic, but appreciates phytoplankton and zooplankton supplements 1-2 times per week. Minimum tank volume: 80 liters for a small frag, 200 liters for a colony. Compatible with most reef fish and peaceful invertebrates. Avoid coral-eating fish. Easy to propagate by fragmentation.