Pore Coral

About

Pore coral (Montipora niugini) is one of those species that rewards a second look. At first glance the colony appears almost plain. The surface is completely smooth, with corallites so small and flush that they barely register to the naked eye, and the coenosteum carries none of the bumps or papillae you see on most of its relatives. Colonies grow with a submassive base that throws up short, irregular branches, typically reaching around a foot across, though fragmentation can result in clusters that cover considerably more space. Coloration runs from pale cream through soft mauves to muted blue, tones that suit a natural reef palette well. In the wild this coral occupies shallow, sheltered reef zones across a broad Indo-West Pacific range, places where it avoids direct wave energy. That preference for calm water is worth keeping in mind in the aquarium. High, turbulent flow rather than a direct blast is the goal. The lighting demand is serious, and this is not a coral for a system that is still finding its footing. Experienced reefers who can maintain stable, well-lit conditions and consistent water quality will find it a rewarding piece, both for its clean geometry and its subtler color range.