Lime Lantern Montipora (Montipora sp.)
The Lime Lantern Montipora is a vibrant branching SPS coral with a teal-green/blue base (changes under different lighting) and intensely bright yellow-green polyps. Under blue reef lighting, the polyps glow strongly across the branches, creating a bold speckled effect that gives the coral excellent colour contrast and movement.
 
Key Information
Type: SPS Coral
Care Level: Intermediate
Lighting: Medium to High
Flow: Medium to High
Placement: Middle to upper reef
 
Description
This Montipora forms thick, upright branches with rounded growth tips and a textured surface covered in bright fluorescent polyps. The teal-green/blue base (changes under different lighting) provides a strong backdrop, while the vivid yellow-green polyp clusters stand out clearly under reef lighting.
 
As it matures, the Lime Lantern Montipora can develop into a branching colony with a bold, sculpted shape and excellent polyp coverage. Its high-contrast colouration makes it a standout piece for adding brightness, texture, and visual interest to an SPS reef aquarium.
 
Water Parameters
Temperature: 24–26°C
Salinity: 1.025
Alkalinity: 7.5–9 dKH
Calcium: 400–450 ppm
 
Feeding
Primarily photosynthetic, but may benefit from occasional supplemental feeding, including:
Amino acids
Fine particulate coral foods
Broadcast coral feeding
 
Compatibility
Reef safe. Allow space from neighbouring corals, as branching Montipora can shade nearby corals and compete for growing room as the colony expands.
 
Notes
Best suited to established reef aquariums with stable parameters. Montipora are generally more forgiving than many Acropora, but still benefit from consistent alkalinity, good flow, and stable nutrients. With suitable conditions, the Lime Lantern Montipora should reward good husbandry with strong polyp extension, vivid colouration, and steady branching growth.
 
Photography Notes
Photo taken using an iPhone with a macro lens under approximately 30% blue lighting using a Reef Bar.