Aquaman Encrusting Montipora

Overview:

The Aquaman Encrusting Montipora is a stunning SPS coral prized for its brilliant contrasting colors and encrusting growth habit. Featuring a vivid deep sky-blue base complemented by striking orange or reddish polyps, this coral adds vibrant texture and color to reef aquariums. Unlike branching SPS corals, this Montipora plates across surfaces, creating a beautiful thick coating over rocks or plugs. It serves as an excellent entry point for hobbyists transitioning into SPS corals due to its relatively forgiving nature and hardy growth.

Colorization:

• Deep sky-blue base that glows under aquarium lighting
• Bright orange, red, or copper-colored polyps providing strong contrast

Size:

• Typically supplied as small frag plugs ranging from 0.5 to 1 inch

Lighting:

• Moderate to high lighting preferred (200–350 PAR)
• Lower light levels cause color fading; excessively high light can wash out polyp color

Water Flow:

• Medium to strong water movement ideal to keep tissue clean and healthy
• Prevents detritus accumulation on flat encrusting surfaces

Feeding:

• Primarily photosynthetic through symbiotic zooxanthellae
• Benefits from supplemental dosing of amino acids and fine particulate foods like reef snow or rotifers

Aggressiveness:

• Peaceful coral lacking stinging tentacles
• Can overgrow slower corals due to rapid encrusting growth

Care Level:

• Easy to moderate care requirements
• Needs stable calcium and alkalinity levels for optimal health and growth
• Hardier than many branching SPS corals, suitable for advancing reef keepers