Pore Coral

About

Pore coral (Montipora cactus) is a visually interesting small-polyp stony coral from the Indo-West Pacific, found naturally in sheltered lagoons and turbid, sediment-rich environments rather than the crystal-clear water we typically associate with reef corals. That's worth knowing because it tells you something about how this species grew to look the way it does. Colonies develop submassive bases that give rise to tall columns and branching fingers, a growth form that likely helps the coral reach clearer water above the sediment-stirred depths. In the wild it turns up anywhere from just below the surface down to about 20 meters on reef slopes. Coloration tends toward brown, often with bright white tips on the papillae that cover the coenosteum, giving branches a frosted or highlighted look. Subtle rather than flashy, but attractive in a mature colony. In the aquarium this is a coral for experienced reefers. It demands very high light and strong, consistent flow, and the combination of SPS-level water quality requirements and its specific demand for intensity makes it unforgiving of lapses in maintenance. Placement matters. Give it space to develop its columnar structure and make sure flow reaches all sides. Not a coral to start with, but a rewarding one once you have the fundamentals dialed in.