Spongodes montipora (Montipora spongodes) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Spongodes monti
Family
Acroporidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific, on shallow reef flats and slopes
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 (LiveAquaria, for branching Montipora)
Flow
Moderate

Care

Montipora spongodes forms bushy, sponge-like colonies of short, lumpy branches studded with small bumps (papillae). Hobby forms are usually cream, green or blue-tipped. Neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics has a page for this species; the figures come from LiveAquaria's branching Montipora (M. digitata) page and are general guidance for the genus. Place it in the middle to upper rockwork with moderate to high light and medium flow. Water: LiveAquaria gives dKH 8–12, pH 8.1–8.4 and 22–26 °C for branching Montipora, with calcium, strontium and trace elements. Keep calcium around 400–450 ppm and magnesium around 1,300 ppm. Growth is fairly quick once settled. 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

Easy to frag: cut a branch 2–3 cm long with bone cutters and glue it to a plug with cyanoacrylate gel.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful. Keep it away from LPS corals with sweeper tentacles and from leathers. Watch for Montipora-eating nudibranchs.

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

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