Scientific Name:
Montipora digitata
Classification: SPS
Common Names: Orange Velvet Finger
Description:
Orange M. digitata coral is a finely upward branching hardy coral that does
very well in the aquarium when given the proper conditions. The body and polyps
are pink or orange in color with growing tips a lighter shade than the main body
of the coral. Brighter lighting tends to make the coral more pink than
orange colored. The polyps are active during the day and evenly cover the entire body of the coral. The coral is
fragile and easily broken if bumped.
Veron: Colonies are digitate or
arborescent with anastomosing upright branches. Corallites are
immersed and small, especially in colonies from shallow water. The
coenosteum is smooth. Color is cream or brown, sometimes pink or
blue.
Natural Environment:
Veron: Shallow reef environments.
May be a dominant species of shallow mud flats.
Care:
One of the easiest SPS corals to raise and is an excellent
coral for someone who wants to get started with SPS type corals.
Lighting: Requires strong lighting to thrive, but is more
light tolerant than many SPS corals. Recommend Metal halide or VHO/PC
fluorescent lighting.
Water Current: As with most SPS corals, requires fairly strong water
currents, but can usually tolerate less current than many Acropora
species.
Temperature: Does well within a range of at least 75º to 84º
F
Aggressiveness: Low. All corals can sting adjacent corals,
but it does not have elongated stinging tentacles, so they can live in
fairly close proximity to other non-aggressive corals.
Feeding: Photosynthetic and requires no direct
feeding. That is why it is important to provide the proper lighting.
It will presumably take small zooplankton type foods if provided.
Supplements: Correct Calcium (400 – 500) and Alkalinity
(3.2 – 4.5ml/eq.) levels are important for health and growth. Low
alkalinity levels can cause loss of blue color as can insufficient
lighting.
Tank Positioning: Best if kept in the upper portion of the
tank where it can get maximum light and water flow. Mount them firmly
into a crevice or use underwater epoxy to glue in place on the live rock
to prevent getting knocked over. It is also good to place it where it
will not be likely to be bumped on accident while cleaning the tank
since it is very easily broken. If your tank has very high intensity
lighting, it is best to place any new coral on the bottom of the tank
for a week or two to acclimatize it to your tank lighting conditions
before moving it to it’s final location.
Growth Info:
