{"product_id":"strawberry-medusa-plating-montipora-pea-hp-oc1904","title":"Strawberry Medusa Plating Montipora","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrawberry Medusa Plating 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 plating stony coral known for forming broad, layered plates with a finely textured surface and small embedded corallites. This specimen displays intense strawberry-red coloration across the colony with pale pink to white growing margins and slightly darker corallite centers. The central portion develops raised, folded, and irregular growths that give the colony a sculptural, “Medusa”-like appearance while the outer edges continue to expand in broad plates. \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 plating \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e species share similar growth forms and external features, species-level identification cannot be confirmed reliably from a photograph alone, so \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 prevent detritus from settling across the plates and within the raised central folds while supporting gas exchange and nutrient delivery. Place on stable rockwork with enough room for the colony to expand outward and form additional layered plates. 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 reasonably 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 \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 to stronger lighting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pacific East Aquaculture, Inc.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67721462776041,"sku":"HP OC1904","price":229.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2133\/7655\/files\/strawberry-medusa-plating-montipora-sps-coral-colonies-pea-HP-OC1904.jpg?v=1792444906","url":"https:\/\/pacificeastaquaculture.com\/products\/strawberry-medusa-plating-montipora-pea-hp-oc1904","provider":"Pacific East Aquaculture","version":"1.0","type":"link"}