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Montipora Plate Coral
Vase Coral, Cap Coral, Leaf Plate Coral, Cup Montipora

Montipora capricornus
Photo © Animal-World

Scientific name: Montipora capricornus although it is often found misspelled as capricornis.

Distribution: Montipora corals are found in the Australo-Indo-Pacific region as well as the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. They are commonly imported from Indonesia.

Montipora, as a species, are found from deep water (greater than 10 meters / 33 feet) to the reef crest and from clear oceanic reefs to turbid (not clear because of stirred-up sediment, etc.) lagoons. Even though their range is large, Montipora are more likely to be found in quiet water at mid-depths, with Montipora capricornus commonly found in lagoon type habitats with shallow water. Seagrasses may be found growing among the corals.

Description: Montipora is a plating species of small polyp stony (SPS) corals. Montipora's corallites (the basic skeletal unit of a stony coral that contains the polyps) are tiny. This makes them distinct from all other corals except Porites. The corallites have almost microscopic inward-projecting septa (plural of septum, a thin skeletal plate in stony corals that protrudes from the corallite wall inward, toward the center where the polyps reside). The polyps themselves are tiny, uniform and fuzzy which gives Montipora one of it's common names, velvet coral. Their skeletons are lightweight and porous.

Montipora is most commonly found in green, pink, purple, and brown but can be found in almost every color. The polyps tend to be brown or green, usually in contrast with the more brightly colored coenosarc (the soft tissue that lies over the stony skeleton and usually links the tissue between polyps).

Montipora capricornus is a turbinate coral which is described as a vaselike growth with cone-shaped whorls. A mature colony will have a spiraling vase shape. The newest growth, at the edges of the coral, are often lighter or a contrasting color. Seeing that lighter color at the edges indicates that the coral is growing.

Unlike corals whose polyps expand or contract only at certain times of the day, Montipora capricornus' polyps can be open or closed at any time of the day, they also can open singly or in groups.

Background: The Genus Montipora is credited to de Blainville in 1830, and belongs to the Family Acroporidae, the Order Scleractinia, Class Anthozoa, and Phylum Cnidaria. Montipora capricornus is credited to Veron in 1985.

Montipora is one of the largest genera of corals and has almost every type of growth form. Some species can even have more than one growth form in the same colony.

Montipora capricornus is one of the common species of Montipora. It is sometimes confused with M. foliosa and M. tuberculosa. Some of the common names for Montipora capricornus are cabbage coral, lettuce coral, vase coral, cup coral, and leaf plate coral.

Quick Ref Chart
Lighting:
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Aquarium Care: In the wild, brittlestars and other detritovores are sometimes found in the base of the coral so specimens should be checked carefully for unsafe hitchhikers, especially corals taken from the wild.

Montipora are usually hardy, with many fast-growing species. However, a mature tank is recommended.

Maintaining calcium and alkalinity levels are important. Most online vendors recommend adding filter feeder food.

Montipora capricornus is considered a good beginner coral. It is also an excellent candidate for propagation.

Be prepared to move your Montipora capricornus to find it's best position in your tank based on your lighting system and water movement. It's color and growth form will depend on your lighting and water flow.

Caution is recommended if you plan to add Limpet snails to your tank as they have been known to eat Montipora corals (as well as Acropora). Magilopsis (a gastropod) and Prosthiostomum (a flatworm) are common Montipora pests.

Lighting: High lighting levels. These corals have zooxanthellae.

Some species of Montipora prefer strong lighting but they are adaptable and will grow well in lower light although they may become more brown in color. Montipora capricornus is capable of transforming color from dull brown to green, pink, purple, and blue under artificial lighting.

If you wish to maintain your Montipora capricornus' coloring or encourage it to "brighten up," keep it under strong lighting. Most research recommended power compacts, VHOs, or metal halides. With metal halides, place Montipora capricornus in the middle to bottom part of your tank. With any other lights, place them in the middle to top part of your tank.

Water flow: Moderate to high water flow.

Research indicates that water flow has a great impact on Montipora capricornus' growth form.

Difficulty of Care: Montipora are not aggressive corals. They do not posses strong defenses. Because of this, they must be placed away from any aggressive or defensive coral.

Montipora must be placed so they have room to grow because, under the right lighting, they are a fast-growing species.

Wild caught specimens do not do as well in captivity as aquacultured ones.

Unlike Acropora, which are in the same family, Montipora corals do not stress as easily and are more resistant to bleaching and disease. Some credit this resistance to their deep-set polyps.

Availability: Montipora capricornus can be found at many online retailers. Prices range from $10 to $150 and are based on size and color, with the more vibrant colored corals commanding the highest prices. Aquacultured specimens and frags are available.

by Elizabeth M. Lukan, May 15, 2007

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