Source: Wikimedia Commons
Montipora Spongodes
AdvancedMontipora spongodes
An encrusting to submassive Montipora whose surface is crowded with irregular tubercles, the tiny corallites sunk between them. An SPS for experienced keepers, needing strong light and stable alkalinity.
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperature
24〜27℃
Size
Colonies to several tens of cm
Diet
Mainly nutrition from symbiotic zooxanthellae, supplemented with powdered coral foods and phytoplankton.
About
Montipora spongodes is a reef-building coral of the family Acroporidae, widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific. SeaLifeBase gives its depth range as 0-25 m, on reef flats and reef slopes. Colonies are encrusting, sometimes thickening into submassive forms. The surface is crowded with irregular tubercles, and the minute corallites sit sunk between them, which is the main character separating it from congeners. Colour ranges from brown to greenish brown, sometimes with a purple cast. It is zooxanthellate and draws most of its nutrition from photosynthesis. In the aquarium, give it strong light and moderate to strong flow, and keep alkalinity and calcium stable, since these govern colour and growth. Tissue recedes readily after sudden changes in light or water chemistry, so acclimate new colonies to light over several weeks. The IUCN assessed it as Endangered in 2023, and as a scleractinian it is listed on CITES Appendix II.
Source: SeaLifeBase
Temperature & humidity for the Montipora Spongodes
The ideal temperature for the Montipora Spongodes is 24〜27℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Indo-Pacific, on reefs from the surface down to about 25 m
Size
Colonies to several tens of cm
Temperature
24〜27℃
Diet
Mainly nutrition from symbiotic zooxanthellae, supplemented with powdered coral foods and phytoplankton.
Care Specifications
- Carbonate (KH)
- 8–12 dKH
- Water Temp.
- 24–27℃
- Specific Gravity
- 1.023–1.025
- Salinity
- 33–35 ppt
- Calcium (Ca)
- 400–450 ppm
- Magnesium (Mg)
- 1280–1350 ppm
SPSPeacefulLight: High (PAR>150)Flow: HighPlacement: Top
Sources: SeaLifeBase (Montipora spongodes) / LiveAquaria (Smooth Encrusting Montipora Coral) / AlgaeBarn: Water Parameters 101
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Montipora spongodes Bernard, 1897
Authority databases: WoRMS
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
CITES Appendix IIIUCN EN · Endangered
Sources: CITES Appendix II (Scleractinia spp. listed as an order) / IUCN Red List 2025-2 (assessed 2023, via SeaLifeBase)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Montipora Spongodes Listings
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