Red montipora capricornis reef compatibility check
Montipora capricornis
Red montipora capricornis (Montipora capricornis) are intermediate-level SPS corals that need at least 30 gallons. They are listed as reef safe; plating growth can shade nearby corals. Plan high light and high flow. Add them as middle-stage livestock once the tank is at least 4 months old.
Readable SPS growth form that needs room, light, flow, and stable alkalinity.
Who it is for
Good fit for
- ✓ Tanks of 30+ gallons at the animal's adult size.
- ✓ Reef tanks with corals and invertebrates.
Not a fit for
- ✕ Tanks under 30 gallons, even while it is small.
- ✕ Keepers without some reef experience and stable parameters.
- ✕ New tanks; wait until the system is about 4+ months old.
- ✕ Tanks with soft-coral-level lighting.
Compatibility warnings
- Plating growth can shade nearby corals.
- Check adult size against the final tank, not the fish or coral at purchase size.
- Add livestock slowly so the bioload and nutrient export can keep up.
- Use the planner when this animal changes the tank-size, flow, lighting, or stocking plan.
Professional planning context
- Use the 30 gallon minimum as an adult-planning floor; display length, aquascape, and existing tankmates can raise that floor.
- Hold this entry until the system has at least 4 months of maturity or equivalent stability evidence.
- Placement should be validated against measured PAR, turbulent flow, allelopathy/stinging distance, and future colony growth.
Tank fit and maturity gate
ReefCrafter uses 30 gallons as the planning floor for adult size, swimming room, nutrient load, and aggression margin.
This animal should wait until the tank has enough age, food web stability, or parameter history.
Care notes
- Temperament
- Varied
- Reef safety
- Safe
- Adult size
- 12 in
- Placement
- Build dependent
- Diet
- Build dependent
- Flow
- High
- Light
- High
- Bioload
- 0.3
- Stocking stage
- Middle
Related species
- Birdsnest coral
Same 30-gallon floor.
- Montipora
Same 30-gallon floor.
- Montipora digitata
Same 30-gallon floor.
- Pocillopora coral
Same 30-gallon floor.
Equipment that fits
- AquaIllumination Hydra 64HD Reef LED Black
Lists about 430 PAR at 18 in, enough for a high light need.
- EcoTech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED
Lists about 430 PAR at 18 in, enough for a high light need.
- Orphek Atlantik iCon Compact
Lists about 250 PAR at 18 in, enough for a high light need.
Related reading
Questions
What size tank do red montipora capricornis need?
ReefCrafter plans for at least 30 gallons, based on an adult size of about 12 inches, plus growth space and the stability a larger water volume gives. Use the adult size, not the size at purchase.
Are red montipora capricornis reef safe?
They are listed as reef safe in ReefCrafter's catalog. Watch for: Plating growth can shade nearby corals.
Are red montipora capricornis good for beginners?
They are rated intermediate care, so most beginners should add them later, after parameters have been stable for 4+ months.
How much light and flow do red montipora capricornis need?
ReefCrafter lists a high light need and high flow. In planner terms that starts around 250 PAR.