Propagating Montipora setosa
A propagation guide for the encrusting coral Montipora setosa of the family Acroporidae, covering chip cutting from the crust, spawning biology, and the Phestilla nudibranch pest.
Overview
Montipora setosa is a species in the genus Montipora, family Acroporidae, grown in the hobby as an encrusting small polyp stony coral. According to Wikipedia, the genus exhibits submassive, laminar, foliaceous, encrusting, and branching growth morphologies, and colours across the genus span orange, brown, pink, green, blue, purple, yellow, grey, and tan. The Sunset designation refers to a color form of this encrusting species.
Reproductive Mode
Like other members of the genus, M. setosa is a hermaphroditic broadcast spawner, with spawning typically taking place in spring. Because the eggs already carry zooxanthellae, the symbionts are passed to the next generation by vertical transmission instead of being acquired from seawater. In captivity the coral is propagated almost entirely by fragmentation of the crust.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
To frag an encrusting Montipora, a chip is cut off the crust, ideally with a thin layer of the underlying rock, and mounted to a plug. Under medium-high light and moderate flow the tissue spreads outward across the new substrate, re-establishing the crust. Encrusting Montipora are typically faster to heal and more forgiving of cutting than branching Acropora.
- Cut a chip from the encrusting crust with some rock attached.
- Glue the chip to a plug with living tissue uppermost.
- Position under medium-high light and moderate flow.
- Wait for the tissue to encrust the plug before relocating.
Common Challenges
As with all Montipora, the Montipora-eating nudibranch is the leading risk. An undescribed Phestilla species is reported in the literature to feed on the genus, while the described pest Phestilla subodiosus feeds specifically on Montipora and has become a commercial problem in aquaculture. Eggs concealed on the crust make eradication difficult.