Undata Montipora care guide
Undata Montipora (Montipora undata) — reef coral, 24-26 °C, PAR 150-250, salinity 1.025-1.026.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
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.
Propagating Montipora undata (Undata Montipora)
Overview
Montipora undata is a plating coral of the family Acroporidae whose surface bears raised, undulating ridges. Montipora is the second most species-rich coral genus and is common across the Red Sea, western Indian Ocean and southern Pacific while absent from the Atlantic. Colonies depend on symbiotic zooxanthellae for the bulk of their energy.
Reproductive Mode
Montipora reproduce sexually as hermaphroditic broadcast spawners, typically in spring. In the home reef the practical route to more colonies is asexual fragmentation.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
The ridged plate cuts cleanly with a band saw; coral cutters serve for smaller fragments. Cut through bare skeleton where possible and keep chips flat for an easy bond to the plug.
- Divide the ridged plate into flat chips with a band saw or coral cutters.
- Place cyanoacrylate glue, sized to the chip base, on a plug or disc.
- Set the chip, hold around 30 seconds, then return it to the tank.
- Return fragged colonies to good flow and light within a few hours.
Conditions for Propagation
Consistent alkalinity, calcium and magnesium drive healthy regrowth. The Aquairi record targets medium-high light (about 150-250 PAR), medium-high flow and 24-26 C.
Common Challenges
Montipora is preyed upon by corallivores and by a cryptic, undescribed Phestilla nudibranch. Quarantine and dip new frags to keep this pest out of the display.