AI-generated image
Montipora Undata
AdvancedMontipora undata
A plating Montipora whose surface carries low, concentric, wave-like ridges; the epithet undata refers to them. Colour ranges from brown to reddish brown. An SPS that prefers strong light.
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 undata is a reef-building acroporid found across the Indo-Pacific. SeaLifeBase gives its depth range as 3-30 m, so it reaches somewhat deeper water than many congeners. Colonies form thin plates whose surfaces carry low, wave-like ridges arranged concentrically; the epithet undata, meaning wavy, refers to these. The corallites lie between the ridges and the colony margin extends as a thin, smooth edge. Colour ranges from brown through greenish brown to reddish brown. It is zooxanthellate and draws most of its nutrition from photosynthesis. Because it plates outward, it will eventually shade corals placed below it, so allow room when siting it. Give strong light and randomised flow sufficient to keep detritus off the upper surface, and keep alkalinity and calcium stable. 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 Undata
The ideal temperature for the Montipora Undata is 24〜27℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Indo-Pacific, on reefs between about 3 and 30 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 Guide
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 undata) / 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 undata Bernard, 1897
Synonyms: Montipora colei Wells, 1954, Montipora denticulata Bernard, 1897
Authority databases: WoRMS
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
CITES Appendix IIIUCN EN · Endangered
Domestic law: Collecting in Japanese waters is governed by each prefecture's fisheries adjustment regulations, which differ by prefecture. Okinawa Prefecture's regulations ban the collection of reef-building corals, including stony corals (Scleractinia), organ-pipe corals (Tubiporidae) and blue coral (Helioporacea); this covers corals naturally attached to quays or ropes, broken fragments lying on the seabed, and skeletons. Possessing or selling illegally collected corals is also banned. Cultured corals are exempt, and the prefecture advises buyers to confirm that a coral is cultured, on an artificial base or tagged.
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 Undata Listings
Loading latest listingsFind listings for this species
