Orange Montipora capricornis

Orange Montipora capricornis, just added to display tank. Picture taken April 2005, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Nikkor 18-70mm DX lens In this tank setup I do not plan on keeping many montipora species. However, I just love the color of orange Montipora capricornis. This coral can be traced back to Penn State University’s Coral Reef Display. I originally owned it two generations beyond that. I gave frags of this to someone who grew it out and gave me a frag to repopulate my display tank making this at least a 5th generation captive raised coral.

Orange Montipora capricornis, recovering nicely Picture taken February 2006, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Sigma 105mm lens This orange montipora died off in July 2005. A very small patch about 1/4 inch in size survived. It has slowly regrown back to reclaim its former size. The coral is still small and hard to photograph. Excellent polyp extension can be seen. The underside of the plate heavily populated with tube snails (they are not worms).

Orange Montipora capricornis, showing rapid growth, 3 months later. Picture taken May 2006, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Sigma 105mm lens The growth rate of this coral has really started to pick up. It has completed covered over the dead areas and nearly tripled in size during the past 3 months.

Orange Montipora capricornis, showing rapid growth, 9 months later. Picture taken February 2007, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Nikkor 18-70mm DX lens As you can see the growth has greatly increased over the past 9 months. This coral is about 10 inches wide and 10 inches front to back and about 6 inches from the bottom to the top.

Orange Montipora capricornis, showing rapid growth, 9 months later. Picture taken February 2007, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Nikkor 18-70mm DX lens This Montipora has more than tripled in size over the past 5 months.

Orange Montipora capricornis, showing rapid growth. Picture taken July 2007, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Nikkor 18-70mm DX lens A closer view.

Orange Montipora capricornis, with Pajama Cardinal Picture taken March 2008, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Nikkor 18-70mm DX lens, Flash A Pajama Cardinal hanging out in the shadows. UPDATE: Sadly this massive colony was lost during August 2008 when several large colonies died from unknown reason.