Cultured Montipora Stellata Frag *Easiest to keep hard coral*

Montipora Stellata are a species of branching Montipora and are a great introduction to keeping SPS corals. It is sometimes called a Velvet Branch Coral due to the polyps that give it a velvety appearance. They have bright green polyps and grow in a classic branching style. The base will also encrust on the rockwork and sprout new branches. They are very fast growing for an SPS coral and a single frag will grow into a colony quite quickly, as well as encrust the surrounding rock.

This species of Montipora is found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, although much of what is available in the hobby today is aquacultured due to its popularity and speed of growth. It generally is found at shallower depths, as it is a light loving coral. In a home tank, they do best when placed in an open area on the rockwork where it will have room to grow. Consideration should be given to the fact that it will both branch and encrust. It has no sting, but generally the branches should not come into direct contact with other corals and, of course, it can be stung by more aggressive corals.

Montipora Stellata are light loving corals and are happiest in high light areas of the tank. If they are placed in areas with insufficient light they may either brown out or only encrust and not branch. A coral that is turning white or pale may be receiving too much light and should be moved lower in the tank. Stellatas also love high levels of flow and their polyps should be in constant motion. Of course the flow should be indirect, no coral will do well with a powerhead pointed directly at it.

Montipora Stellata are photosynthetic and feeding is not required. However, occasional feeding with an SPS coral food will improve growth rate and may improve colouration. Fragging is very easy, a branch can simply be cut with coral cutters and glued to a frag plug. Many hobbyists will glue the new frag to the plug horizontally to maximize the surface area exposed to light.

For experienced hobbyists who want to add a splash of green to their tank or those who want to try keeping their first SPS coral, the Montipora Stellata makes a great choice. As with all hard corals, stable water parameters are key, as is the monitoring of calcium and alkalinity levels.