Pore Coral

About

Pore coral (Montipora informis) is a small-polyp stony coral found across the Indo-Pacific, from the shallows all the way down to around 48 meters, with upper reef slopes being its most typical home. Colonies grow in a massive to encrusting form, spreading across available hard substrate in a fairly uniform sheet. What sets this species apart visually is the texture of its coenosteum. The skeletal tissue between polyps is covered with elongated papillae of consistent height, giving the surface a fine, almost bristled look. Coloration runs toward brown or mottled brown and white, not especially flashy, but the papillae can have white or blue tips that add some visual interest up close. The coral will extend small white tentacles even during daylight hours, which is a nice touch in a display tank. In the aquarium, Montipora informis demands conditions that mirror its natural high-energy reef environment: very high light and strong, consistent water movement. It is not particularly forgiving of water quality lapses or parameter swings, which puts it firmly in the advanced category. Experienced reef keepers with dialed-in systems will find it a rewarding encrusting species, but it is not a good candidate for anyone still working out the basics of reef husbandry.