Sunset Montipora Coral

Sunset Montipora Coral Frag

Available for Local Pickup in store​​​​​​​

 

Overview

The Sunset Montipora (Montipora sp.) is a stunning encrusting SPS coral that has become a staple in reef aquariums for its eye-popping color contrast. Its vibrant orange base is covered with bright green polyps, creating the appearance of a tropical sunset glowing in your reef. Known for its hardy nature (for an SPS) and relatively forgiving care compared to Acropora, this coral is perfect for aquarists looking to add a splash of neon color to their rockwork.

 

Appearance

• Base Color: Rich orange to reddish-orange.

• Polyps: Bright fluorescent green, evenly spread across the surface.

• Growth Form: Primarily encrusting, but can form plating structures as it matures.

• Texture: Smooth, bumpy surface with small, fuzzy polyps extending during the day.

 

Temperament & Behavior

• Aggression Level: Peaceful – does not extend sweeper tentacles.

• Behavior Patterns: Grows outward across rock and frag plugs, gradually covering surfaces with vibrant coloration.

 

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 20+ gallons (nano-friendly if parameters are stable).

• Placement: Lower–mid levels of the tank, on stable rockwork where it can encrust.

• Flow: Moderate to strong; prevents detritus buildup and promotes polyp extension.

• Lighting: Moderate to high PAR (150–250); thrives under blue/actinic spectrum, which enhances polyp fluorescence.

 

Diet & Feeding

• Feeding Needs: Primarily photosynthetic via zooxanthellae.

• Supplemental Foods: Fine particulate coral foods (phytoplankton, Reef Roids, powdered plankton).

• Feeding Frequency: 1–2 times per week; improves growth and coloration.

 

Reef Compatibility

• Reef Safe: Yes, fully compatible.

• Tank Role: Adds incredible contrast to other SPS and LPS corals, especially when paired with green, purple, or blue species.

 

Compatibility

• Tank Mates: Safe with all reef fish, shrimp, crabs, and snails.

• Coral Neighbors: Can be placed close to other peaceful SPS corals; avoid direct contact with aggressive LPS.

 

Care Level

• Difficulty: Moderate – suitable for reefers with some SPS experience.

• Growth Rate: Steady encrusting growth; can spread rapidly when happy.

• Hardiness: More forgiving than many SPS, but still requires stable water chemistry.

 

Water Parameters (Ideal Range)

• Temperature: 75–80°F (24–27°C)

• pH: 8.1–8.4

• Salinity: 1.024–1.026

• Alkalinity: 8–9.5 dKH

• Calcium: 420–450 ppm

• Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm

• Nitrates: 2–10 ppm

• Phosphates: 0.02–0.08 ppm

 

Propagation

• Method: Fragging involves breaking or cutting small encrusted sections.

• Healing Time: Heals quickly under stable conditions, often showing new encrusting growth within weeks.

 

🌟 Fun Facts About the Sunset Montipora

• Beginner SPS: While many SPS corals are challenging, Sunset Montipora is often considered a gateway coralfor hobbyists new to SPS care.

• Natural Glow: Its green polyps can look like glowing “stars” against the orange base when viewed under actinic lighting.

• Encrusting Master: Given time, it will cover rockwork like a living paint job, transforming bare spots into glowing sunset patches.

 

✅ Summary:
The Sunset Montipora is a vibrant, hardy SPS coral that combines stunning coloration with manageable care. Its glowing orange-and-green contrast adds unmatched beauty to reef tanks, making it a favorite for aquarists who want to step into the world of SPS corals.