{"product_id":"pink-polyp-plating-montipora-under-25-pea-u25-n1108","title":"Pink Polyp Scrolling Plate Cherry Montipora","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePink Polyp Plating Montipora, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e spp. and related species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, is a reef-building coral known for its broad plating growth, finely textured surface, and contrasting polyp coloration. This specimen displays vivid red to raspberry-pink tissue with numerous lighter pink polyps distributed across the colony, creating a strongly textured appearance under reef aquarium lighting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a diverse genus whose colonies may develop plating, encrusting, branching, columnar, or mixed growth forms. In plating forms, the colony spreads outward in broad sheets or plates that can gradually curve, overlap, or develop irregular contours as the coral matures. Corallites are typically small and embedded within the surrounding skeletal tissue, contributing to the finely textured appearance characteristic of the genus.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Pink Polyp Plating Montipora is especially attractive because its bright pink polyps stand out against the deeper red-pink base. When the polyps are extended, the colony gains an additional layer of texture and color, while the broad plating form adds visual depth and structure to the aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLike other photosynthetic reef-building corals, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e contains symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates that provide much of its nutritional energy. Its small polyps may also capture very fine suspended planktonic and particulate foods from the surrounding water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStable reef aquarium chemistry is important for maintaining healthy skeletal growth and coloration. Consistent alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, salinity, temperature, and nutrient levels are preferable to rapid fluctuations. Moderate to strong variable water movement helps carry oxygen and nutrients across the broad plate surface while preventing detritus from accumulating in depressions or beneath overlapping growth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModerate to high lighting is generally appropriate, although stronger light should be introduced gradually. As the colony expands, the plate can shade areas beneath it, so placement should account for both the coral’s future growth and the lighting needs of neighboring organisms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause exact species-level identification within \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e can depend on fine skeletal features and the genus contains many species with overlapping colony forms, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e spp. and related species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is the most scientifically responsible identification for this specimen.\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\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Identification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e spp. and related species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Plating Montipora Coral\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLighting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate to High\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate to Strong, indirect and variable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Middle to upper areas of the aquarium depending on lighting intensity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Generally peaceful, but allow adequate room for outward plating growth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReef Compatibility:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Reef safe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Primarily photosynthetic; may also capture very fine planktonic and suspended particulate foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth Form:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Plating to encrusting calcium carbonate skeleton with small embedded corallites\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Maintain stable reef aquarium temperature and salinity with consistent alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. Maintain measurable and reasonably stable nitrate and phosphate levels rather than allowing nutrients to fluctuate rapidly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecial Considerations:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Avoid abrupt changes in alkalinity, salinity, temperature, lighting, or nutrients. Provide variable circulation across both the upper and lower surfaces as the colony grows. Gradually acclimate the coral to stronger lighting. Allow adequate room for the plate to spread and consider the potential for shading corals positioned beneath mature growth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pacific East Aquaculture, Inc.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67992704418025,"sku":"U25 N1108","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2133\/7655\/files\/pink-polyp-plating-montipora-sps-under-25-pea-u25-N1108.jpg?v=1794519955","url":"https:\/\/pacificeastaquaculture.com\/products\/pink-polyp-plating-montipora-under-25-pea-u25-n1108","provider":"Pacific East Aquaculture","version":"1.0","type":"link"}