SPS: Montipora (cont.) Montipora capricornis 2 This piece has gotten so large we had to move it to its current location where it is now arguably, the true centerpiece of the tank. It still is in a constant battle with zoanthids, a battle it always seems to win by either shading them out or simply molding itself to grow around them, but has not let them (or anything else) impede its will to survive.   Another interesting observation is that this is the most colorful piece in the entire tank when all the lights are off. It is a deep, deep magenta while everything else appears to be a mix of pale earth tones. Perhaps the only impending problem with this coral is going to be its size. It has the potential to become immense would probably grow over everything in the tank if it was given the opportunity. But now it's in a pretty good spot (zoos not included) and has a bit of room. I'd say, a major fragging is in the offing within a year to 18 months though. Montipora capricornis 3: Well, this certainly turned into quite the unusual piece. It seems to have the 'lettuce like' growth pattern the species is known for but here it is so loose and haphazard, I really have no idea where the thing'll go next. There are even sections of it that grow AWAY from the light, forming 'curtains' that the fish just love to hide behind . Its skeleton is very thin, making it a dream to frag. But it too has suffered from the embrace of the nearby Hydnophora, causing a quarter sized area of die- off where they meet. At this point, I'm just going to let things ride and monitor the situation. Other than the affected section, the coral is doing fine. Montipora digitata 2: Becoming quite a mass. Also encroaching on the Merulina. Becoming a favorite place for the Hawkfish to 'hide' from the carryings-on of the Pseudo.   Montipora efflorescens: Doing great. Its color has really deepened to a dark magenta to match the color of its polyps. Its growth has also slowed down which, when you have the real estate problems I do, is wonderful. One of the 'carefree' guys. Montipora hispida: This one has done some very weird things. It's growing pretty well now on its little 'perch' but has a chronic bleaching problem on its middle. While some of it is obviously dead, much of the white section is actually alive; its neon green polyps visible only when the actinics are on by themselves. The rims is doing fine and even recalling its old habit of growing ledges to shade itself out. It's certainly not the prettiest piece in the tank but without a doubt, one of the most durable. [Update 6/04: The bleached area is just about gone now and the piece has gone on to continue the bizarre growth pattern that garnered it the name “The Thing” a couple years back. ]

©2004 Michael G. Moye