Chili Pepper Montipora

The genus Montipora is a cornerstone of the SPS-keeping world, offering a huge range of colours and growth forms. This Chili Pepper Montipora is a classic encrusting variety, appreciated for its intense colouration and steady growth in a mature reef system. It has been a long-standing favourite for hobbyists looking to add a patch of deep red to their rockwork.

This variety presents with a deep red to orange base that encrusts over live rock, following the contours of the aquascape. Over this surface, it develops small, fuzzy polyps of a contrasting bright green, giving it the signature look that inspired its name. As it matures, it can form large, solid plates with a bumpy, textured surface, becoming an integral part of the reef structure.

For best colour and health, a Chili Pepper Montipora requires care typical for small polyp stony corals. It thrives in high light, ideally in the 250-450 PAR range, which helps maintain its rich base colour. Strong, indirect water flow is just as important to keep the surface clear of detritus and deliver nutrients. Placement should be on rockwork in the middle to upper regions of the tank, with ample room to grow outwards. While primarily photosynthetic, its growth and colour can be enhanced with occasional broadcast feeding of fine particulate SPS foods. Stable water parameters are key, with calcium at 420-440 ppm, alkalinity at 8-9 dKH, and magnesium around 1300-1400 ppm.

As an encrusting coral, it will simply grow over any non-aggressive neighbours, so plan its placement accordingly. In a mixed reef, be sure to keep it out of reach of corals with long, potent sweeper tentacles. Given its peaceful nature and predictable growth habit, it is an excellent piece for an SPS-dominant aquarium or a high-energy mixed reef.

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.