Pore Coral

About

Pore coral (Montipora kellyi) is a relatively obscure species native to the shallow reefs off Madagascar and the surrounding Western Indian Ocean, found within a fairly narrow geographic band along the African coast. In the wild it forms clumps of highly contorted, irregular branches that never fuse together, giving colonies a tangled, sculptural look. The coenosteum, the skeletal tissue between polyps, is notably coarse and rough in texture, which sets it apart from the smoother appearance of many other Montipora species. Corallites are large and closely packed, and the colony lacks any papillae or additional surface ornamentation, so what you see is pure structure. Coloration tends toward tan or brown with contrasting white polyps, which is modest compared to some of its flashier cousins in the genus. In the aquarium this is a challenging coral to keep well. It demands very high light and strong, consistent flow to replicate its shallow-water origins, and as with most Montipora species it is sensitive to swings in water quality and nutrient levels. This one is best suited to experienced reefers who already have a stable, well-dialed system running. It is reef safe and poses no threat to tankmates, but its specific demands and limited availability in the hobby make it more of a collector's piece than an entry-level coral.