{"product_id":"medusa-green-branching-montipora-pea-hp-oc1905","title":"Medusa Green Branching Montipora","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMedusa Green Branching Montipora, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e sp.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, is a branching stony coral known for its irregular finger-like growth, textured surface, and numerous small corallites. This specimen displays a vivid yellow-green to lime coloration across the colony with lighter cream-colored growth tips on several branches. The colony develops a gnarled, twisting branching form that gives it the distinctive “Medusa” appearance reflected in the name. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e corals contain symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates that provide most of their nutritional energy, while their small polyps can also capture very fine suspended plankton and organic particles. Because many branching \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e species can look similar externally and species-level identification cannot be confirmed reliably from a photograph alone, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e sp.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is the most scientifically appropriate designation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Guide:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e sp. generally performs best under \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emoderate to strong reef lighting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emoderate to strong, variable water movement\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Good flow helps deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout the branching colony while preventing detritus from accumulating between branches. Place on stable rockwork where the coral has room to expand upward and outward. Maintain stable temperature and salinity along with consistent alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium to support calcification and skeletal growth. Nitrate and phosphate should remain measurable and stable rather than being driven excessively low. Most nutrition comes from photosynthesis, although fine planktonic foods and suspended organic material may provide supplemental nutrition. Like other branching stony corals, Montipora benefits from mature, stable reef conditions and can be sensitive to abrupt changes in alkalinity, temperature, salinity, or lighting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pacific East Aquaculture, Inc.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67721335111913,"sku":"HP OC1905","price":199.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2133\/7655\/files\/medusa-green-branching-montipora-sps-coral-colonies-pea-HP-OC1905.jpg?v=1792444900","url":"https:\/\/pacificeastaquaculture.com\/products\/medusa-green-branching-montipora-pea-hp-oc1905","provider":"Pacific East Aquaculture","version":"1.0","type":"link"}