{"product_id":"strawberry-medusa-plating-montipora-wysiwyg-pea-f-oc0710","title":"Strawberry Medusa Plating Montipora Coral","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrawberry Medusa Plating Montipora, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e sp., is an encrusting to plating stony coral known for its relatively thin growth form and textured surface. This WYSIWYG specimen displays rich strawberry-red to reddish-pink coloration with subtle darker shading through the ridges and valleys of the colony. The surface has a distinctive undulating, maze-like texture that gives the coral a sculpted appearance as it plates outward over the substrate. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e corals contain symbiotic zooxanthellae that provide much of their nutritional requirements through photosynthesis, while their small polyps can also capture very fine suspended foods. Under stable reef conditions, plating Montipora can spread outward across rockwork and develop layered or shelf-like growth. Because species-level identification within \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e cannot reliably be confirmed from external appearance alone, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e sp. is the 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 moderate to high reef lighting with moderate to strong, turbulent water movement. Provide enough circulation to prevent detritus from settling on the textured surface while avoiding a constant concentrated jet directly at the colony. Place on stable middle to upper rockwork with adequate room for future plating growth. Maintain very stable temperature, salinity, alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium, as Montipora depends on these parameters for skeletal growth. Consistent, measurable nitrate and phosphate levels are preferable to severely nutrient-depleted conditions. Montipora receives most of its energy through photosynthesis but may also benefit from very fine planktonic coral foods. Acclimate gradually to stronger lighting and monitor for common Montipora pests such as nudibranchs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pacific East Aquaculture, Inc.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67630188396777,"sku":"U25 OC0710","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2133\/7655\/files\/strawberry-medusa-plating-montipora-sps-under-25-pea-F-OC0710.jpg?v=1791403260","url":"https:\/\/pacificeastaquaculture.com\/products\/strawberry-medusa-plating-montipora-wysiwyg-pea-f-oc0710","provider":"Pacific East Aquaculture","version":"1.0","type":"link"}