Forest Fire Montipora samarensis is a standout SPS coral for many reef tanks. Its bright green base and glowing orange-red polyps create a true “forest fire” look. With the right care, it grows fast and branches out beautifully.
Forest Fire Montipora Samarensis Basics
This coral is a branching Montipora species. It forms an intricate branching structure. Plan its placement early to avoid crowding later.
Forest Fire Monti prefers strong lighting. Aim for 200–300 PAR under LED or T5 lighting. Start new frags lower in the tank. Then move them up slowly over 2–3 weeks to avoid bleaching.
Provide moderate to strong, random flow. Use wavemakers in a pulse or reef crest mode. This helps bring fresh nutrients to the polyps.
- Tank size: 30 gallons minimum for a small colony
- Temperature: 24–26°C (75–79°F)
- Salinity: 1.025–1.026 specific gravity
- pH: 8.1–8.4, stable daily
Stable nutrients are key. Keep nitrates between 5–15 ppm and phosphates 0.03–0.08 ppm. Very low nutrients can cause pale tissue and slow growth.
Placement, Feeding, and Troubleshooting
Place Forest Fire Monti high on the rockwork. Leave 3–4 inches of space around it. The branches tend to grow quickly and can sting nearby corals.
Maintain strong skeleton growth with balanced chemistry. Aim for calcium at 420–450 ppm. Keep alkalinity at 8–9 dKH and magnesium at 1300–1400 ppm. Test at least twice weekly in SPS-heavy tanks.
- Use an auto top-off to prevent salinity swings
- Change 10–15% of water every 1–2 weeks
- Log parameters to catch trends early
Forest Fire Monti gets most energy from light, but feeding helps. Dose amino acids 1–2 times per week. Target feed a fine coral food once weekly with pumps off for 15–20 minutes.
- If tips turn white suddenly, check alkalinity for sharp swings
- If color fades, test nutrients and increase feeding slightly
- If tissue recedes from the edges, inspect for pests like nudibranchs
Quarantine new frags whenever possible. Dip them using a coral dip following label instructions. Inspect for eggs and bite marks under strong light. This simple step can save your entire Montipora collection.
Price: $20 per Frag
