{"product_id":"orange-sherbet-encrusting-montipora-pea-hp-oc1923","title":"Orange Sherbet Encrusting Montipora","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrange Sherbet Encrusting 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 an encrusting stony coral known for spreading across hard substrate in broad, low-profile sheets with a densely textured surface of small corallites. This specimen displays intense orange-red coloration across the colony with slightly lighter pinkish margins and subtle variation in tone across the surface. As it grows, the colony typically expands outward over rockwork rather than forming tall branches, making it well suited for creating bright color across open reef surfaces. \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 encrusting \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e species can appear 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 circulation helps keep the colony surface free of settled debris while supporting gas exchange and nutrient delivery. Place on stable rockwork where the coral has room to spread outward as it encrusts the surrounding surface. 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, though fine planktonic foods and suspended organic material may provide supplemental nutrition. Like other \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this coral benefits from mature, stable reef conditions and gradual acclimation when moved into stronger lighting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pacific East Aquaculture, Inc.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67721456713961,"sku":"HP OC1923","price":259.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2133\/7655\/files\/orange-sherbet-encrusting-montipora-sps-coral-colonies-pea-HP-OC1923.jpg?v=1792444897","url":"https:\/\/pacificeastaquaculture.com\/products\/orange-sherbet-encrusting-montipora-pea-hp-oc1923","provider":"Pacific East Aquaculture","version":"1.0","type":"link"}