Why Red Montipora Capricornis Is a Great SPS Starter

Red Montipora Capricornis, often called a “red monti cap,” is a popular SPS coral thanks to its bright color and attractive plating or whorling growth. It’s more forgiving than many Acropora, making it a solid step-up coral for reefers moving deeper into SPS.

Place your monti cap high in the rockwork where it can receive:

• Moderate to high PAR: Aim for 200–350 PAR for strong color and growth.
• Stable flow: Moderate, random flow that keeps detritus off the plates but doesn’t blast tissue.
• Room to grow: Leave space below; the coral will shade what’s under it as it plates outward.

Dialing In Care: Parameters, Feeding, and Maintenance

Like all SPS, Red Montipora Capricornis thrives on stability more than perfection. Prioritize:

• Alkalinity: 8–9.5 dKH with minimal daily swings.
• Calcium: 420–460 ppm; Magnesium: 1300–1400 ppm.
• Nutrients: Nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.1 ppm to avoid pale, starved tissue.

Once your monti cap is encrusted and growing, consider:

• Light coral foods: Occasional broadcast feeding of fine particulate foods can boost growth.
• Regular fragging: Trim overgrown plates to prevent them from shading other corals and to improve flow.
• Pest checks: Inspect for montipora-eating nudibranchs; dip new frags and quarantine when possible.

Tip: If your Red Montipora Capricornis starts browning, check for low light or high nutrients. If it pales, suspect too much light or ultra-low nutrients, and adjust slowly over 1–2 weeks.

With stable parameters, thoughtful placement, and regular observation, Red Montipora Capricornis can become a bold, fast-growing centerpiece in your reef.