Montipora Cap

Montipora capricornis (family Acroporidae), commonly called cap montipora, is a plating SPS coral widespread on Indo-Pacific reefs. Horizontal laminar growth produces disc- or umbrella-shaped colonies with undulating margins that can exceed 40 cm in diameter. Colors include green, purple, orange, pink, and brown, with vivid fluorescence under actinic lighting. Despite sharing a family with Acropora, Montipora is substantially hardier and more tolerant of suboptimal conditions, making it the ideal first SPS for hobbyists stepping up from LPS. Moderate to high lighting (150–300 PAR) and moderate flow are recommended. Stable parameters (24–27°C, KH 8–9, Ca 400–440 ppm) support rapid encrusting and plating growth. Montipora-eating nudibranchs (Phestilla cf. lugubris) can be introduced on new specimens; a prophylactic coral dip is advisable before adding to a display tank. The sweeping plate form adds dramatic three-dimensional structure to reef aquascapes.

Photosynthesis