Undata Montipora care guide
Undata Montipora (Montipora undata) — reef coral, 24-26 °C, PAR 150-250, salinity 1.025-1.026.
Overview
Montipora undata is a plating Montipora with raised undulating ridges. Designer Rainbow Undata morphs display distinct red, blue and green zones across the surface and are highly valued in the reef trade.
Taxonomy
- Family: Acroporidae
- Genus: Montipora
- Scientific name: Montipora undata
- Common synonyms: Undata, Rainbow Undata
Habitat
Native to the tropical Indo-Pacific. Wild colonies are typical of outer reef slopes at moderate depth, where the broad plates capture filtered sunlight.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- Salinity (SG): 1.025-1.026
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Alkalinity (dKH): 7.5-9
- Calcium: 420-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1300-1400 ppm
- Phosphate (max): 0.05 ppm
- Nitrate (max): 10 ppm
Placement and lighting
- Lighting (PAR): 150-250 PAR
- Flow: medium-high
- Recommended tank age: 3 months
- Growth rate: 0.4-0.9 cm/mo
Mount on rockwork in the middle to upper aquarium with medium to high flow and medium-high light. Allow spacing because mature plates can shade lower-placed corals.
Feeding
Primarily photosynthetic. Amino-acid supplementation supports colour intensity in the rainbow morphs. Spot-feeding is unnecessary.
Compatibility
Passive and non-stinging. Compatible with most reef corals provided spacing is adequate. Reef-safe with shrimp and fish.
Care notes
Quarantine new frags and dip in coral-safe iodine to screen for Montipora-eating nudibranchs. Stable parameters and low nutrients preserve the designer colour zones.