Red Monti Cap Corals - Care, Aquascaping Tips, and Facts

An Introduction to the Red Monti Cap Coral

The red monti cap coral (Montipora capricornis) is a bright red branching coral that is highly desired in the saltwater aquarium hobby. With its vibrant coloration and interesting growth form, the red monti cap adds a pop of color and visual interest to any reef tank.

Monti cap corals belong to the family Montiporidae and are also known as plating or encrusting corals. They form flattened plates and branches that extend outward as they grow. The red monti cap gets its brilliant color from the high concentrations of the pigments zooxanthellae and astaxanthin in its tissue.

The Appearance of Red Monti Cap Corals

The red monti cap has a distinctive appearance. It forms encrusting bases that produce multiple short, stubby branches. The branches extend outwards and upwards, taking on a mushroom-like cap shape that resembles an umbrella with short, flat plates for handles.

This coral displays vibrant red coloration over its entire surface, though the tips may be slightly lighter or orange. The tissue has a leathery appearance and may have fine corallite skeleton detail visible underneath when illuminated. Red monti caps may reach 6 inches or more in diameter but usually grow to around 3-4 inches.

Caring for Red Monti Cap Corals

Caring for red monti caps requires meeting some specific conditions. Here are some tips for keeping this coral healthy:

• Lighting - Red monti caps need moderate to high intensity lighting. LED or metal halide systems that provide 150-250 watts per square foot work well.
• Water Flow - Monti caps require turbulent, surging water flow. Use powerheads to create flow rates of 10-20 times the aquarium volume per hour.
• Water Parameters - Maintain excellent water quality with parameters like sg 1.024-1.026, calcium 420-480 ppm, alkalinity 3-4 meq/L.
• Placement - Position monti caps on rock work 3-5 inches from the sandbed where lighting and water flow are optimal.
• Feeding - Target feed corals 2-3 times per week with coral foods containing plankton, aminos, and other nutrients.

Propagating Red Monti Cap Corals

Red monti caps are relatively easy corals to propagate. Here are some common methods:

• Fragging - Use bone cutters to cut healthy branch tips 2-3 inches long for fragging. Super glue frags to small plugs or discs.
• Polyp Bail-Out - Small red monti cap colonies may spontaneously detach from rockwork. Gently place these on new plugs.
• Natural Division - Over time, large colonies produce new side branches that can be separated at the base.

Give frags gentle water flow and light while they heal and attach. Glued frags attach in 2-6 weeks. Frag survival rates are high and growth is relatively rapid under good conditions.

Reasons Red Monti Cap Corals are Popular

The red monti cap is one of the most popular small polyp stony (SPS) corals in the saltwater aquarium trade. Here are some of the reasons reef aquarists love this coral:

Hardy Nature

Red monti caps are fairly hardy once acclimated and have higher survival rates than many other SPS corals. Their resilience makes them ideal for beginner reefkeepers.

Bright Color

The eye-catching red hues of this coral stand out. Reds are uncommon among reef corals, making the monti cap a prized color addition. Its coloration can range from orange to deep ruby red.

Unique Shape

This coral's mushroom-like cap shape provides interesting form and visual texture to aquascapes. Its stubby branches contrast nicely with long, wispy Acropora branches.

Quick Growth

Under good conditions, red monti caps grow relatively fast for small polyp stony corals, adding new branches and increasing size quickly.

Easy to Propagate

Monti cap corals propagate readily through fragmenting and other methods. Their propagation ability makes them affordable and widely available to hobbyists.

Low Demands

Compared to other SPS corals, red monti caps have lower demands for exceptionally intense lighting or pristine water quality. This makes them easier to care for.

Where to Acquire Red Monti Cap Corals

You can obtain red monti cap corals from a few different sources:

• Local Fish Stores - Many aquarium shops sell red monti caps. Inspect carefully for signs of health and coloration.
• Online Shops - Various online coral vendors sell monti caps at reasonable prices and ship frags overnight.
• Fellow Reefers - Joining local reef clubs provides opportunities to frag swap for monti caps.
• Aquaculture Coral Farms - Some wholesale coral farms cultivate monti caps through aquaculture and mariculture.

When buying red monti caps, look for colonies with vibrant color, healthy intact tissue, and signs of recent growth. Avoid corals that appear dull, pale, or deteriorated.

Aquascaping With Red Monti Cap Corals

Red monti caps are excellent corals for creatively aquascaping reef tanks. Here are some tips for incorporating them into attractive displays:

• Contrasting Texture - Place monti caps near long, flowing Acropora branches for shape contrast.
• Color Pop - Use red monti caps as color accents next to subdued corals like birdsnest and hammer species.
• Focal Point - Cluster several monti caps together to create a striking red focal area.
• Height Variation - Position monti caps at different heights layered among other corals.
• Fill In Space - Monti caps make great filler corals for covering empty spots on rocks and overflows.

With its bright hue and unique look, the red monti cap brings eye-catching appeal to any spot in the reef tank it calls home.

FAQs

What are the ideal water parameters for keeping red monti caps?

Red monti caps thrive in water with a specific gravity of 1.024-1.026, calcium levels of 420-480 ppm, alkalinity of 3-4 meq/L, and low nutrients. Excellent water quality is key.

How much light do red monti caps need?

Red monti caps require moderately high light levels. Metal halide or LED systems providing 150-250 watts per square foot work well for this coral.

How can I propagate red monti cap corals?

Fragging, polyp bail-out, and natural division are common propagation methods for red monti caps. Give frags good flow and light for best results.

Why are some red monti caps losing color?

Declining water quality, insufficient lighting, or bleaching from conditions like high temperatures can cause red monti caps to lose vibrant coloration.

Where is the best place to position red monti caps in a reef tank?

Place red monti caps 3-5 inches off the sandbed on rockwork where they will receive moderate-strong flow and high light exposure.