Digitata montipora (Montipora digitata) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Finger montipora, Digi monti
Family
Acroporidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to the western Pacific, on shallow reef flats and lagoons
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Care level
intermediate
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Moderate to high; about PAR 150–300 (standard hobby guidance)
Flow
Moderate

Care

Montipora digitata is a branching small-polyp stony coral with finger-like branches covered in tiny polyps. LiveAquaria sells it in red, green, purple and tan; it is one of the hardiest SPS corals and a common first SPS. Place it in the middle to upper rockwork (LiveAquaria) under moderate to high light with medium flow. Its shape varies with lighting, flow and placement, but it usually stays branched. Water: LiveAquaria gives dKH 8–12, pH 8.1–8.4 and 22–26 °C, with calcium, strontium and trace elements. Keep calcium around 400–450 ppm and magnesium around 1,300 ppm. LiveAquaria describes it as fast-growing; trim it before it shades neighbours. Selling: this is a CITES Appendix II coral. Frags grown in the UK can be sold freely; wild-collected or imported pieces must have been legally imported with CITES paperwork. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/branched-montipora-coral). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Mainly photosynthetic: the zooxanthellae supply most of its energy. LiveAquaria says it can also benefit from liquid or dried zooplankton; occasional fine coral foods are helpful but not essential.

Breeding

Very easy to frag: snap or cut a branch 2–3 cm long with bone cutters and glue it to a plug with cyanoacrylate gel. Frags encrust the plug and branch again quickly. Most pieces sold in the UK are captive-grown.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful; LiveAquaria says it can be kept near other peaceful corals. Keep it well away from LPS corals with sweeper tentacles and from leathers. Watch for Montipora-eating nudibranchs, which lay spiral egg masses on the base.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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