Chili Pepper Montipora

The Chili Pepper Montipora is one of the classic encrusting SPS corals in the reef-keeping hobby. It has maintained its popularity for good reason. This particular Montipora species is known for its distinct colour combination, featuring a bright green base that is covered in tiny, contrasting red-to-orange polyps.

In a home reef, this coral grows by encrusting over the rockwork, eventually forming a thin plate with a uniquely textured surface. The intensity of its colouration can vary with different lighting and water conditions. Under lighting with a heavier blue spectrum, the green base and red polyps often appear more vibrant. The polyps themselves are small and remain visible during the day, giving the coral a somewhat fuzzy appearance from a distance.

For best results, this coral requires the stable conditions of a mature reef tank. It prefers high light levels, somewhere in the 250-450 PAR range, along with strong, indirect water flow to keep its surface free of detritus. Placement in the middle to upper regions of the rockwork is ideal. Like other SPS corals, it relies heavily on photosynthesis but will show improved growth and colour with occasional feeding on amino acids or fine particulate coral foods. It is not an aggressive coral, but it will encrust over anything in its path, so provide ample space for it to grow. Maintain calcium between 420-440 ppm, alkalinity between 8-10 dKH, and magnesium between 1300-1400 ppm.

The encrusting growth habit of the Chili Pepper Montipora makes it a versatile coral for aquascaping. It can be used to cover bare sections of rock, an overflow box, or even the back wall of the aquarium, creating a living background that adds depth and colour. Its green and red pattern provides a nice visual break when placed near corals with blue or purple hues.

This is a WYSIWYG item, so you'll receive the exact specimen pictured.

We take livestock seriously. That's why we don't sell anything we wouldn't be comfortable putting in our own tank.

As we are direct from source, we import and sell direct to the public. This means you can buy with confidence knowing EMA prides itself on excellent handling and conditioning protocols.

Fish

All our fish held in a quarantine system for a minimum of 3 weeks. During this time, regular water changes are performed, and twice daily (or sometimes more) feedings are performed.

Copper is dosed and checked twice a day for ich and velvet.

During this treatment fish are given formalin baths for brooklynella and a minimum of 3 praziquantel doses is performed for flukes.

Coral

Our coral is quarantined for a minimum of 3 weeks, just like fish. During this time, regular water changes are performed, water testing done, and once a month a Fauna Marin ICP Total is performed.

Corals are inspected for pests/general health and are provided with a pest dip once a week for at least 3 weeks.

If we see signs of pests, the quarantine period is extended and/or additional dips are performed

If coral is bleached/unhealthy, it will remain in quarantine until healthy enough to sell.