Montipora Stellata SPS Coral Frag – WYSIWYG

Discover the elegant beauty and vibrant appeal of our stunning Montipora Stellata SPS coral frag! This remarkable small polyp stony (SPS) specimen showcases the distinctive characteristics of Montipora Stellata—a highly popular and widely-respected SPS species celebrated for its unique branching morphology, brilliant coloration, and exceptional growth potential. The coral displays gorgeous, vibrant hues creating a striking visual presence that catches the eye and transforms your reef’s aesthetic appeal. The Montipora Stellata’s characteristic growth pattern features intricate, delicate branching structure with densely-packed polyps that create a delicate, intricate appearance perfect for reef landscaping and aquascaping. This frag represents an established, developing piece ready for impressive growth and color maturation in your system, offering the opportunity to watch this stunning specimen develop into a substantial colony over time. Montipora Stellata are moderately-challenging SPS corals that reward dedicated aquarists with excellent growth rates, spectacular color expression, and the satisfaction of successfully cultivating one of the hobby’s most rewarding and versatile SPS species. What You’re Getting – WYSIWYG:

This is a What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) offering, meaning the exact frag pictured—with its specific coloration, branching structure, size, and characteristics—is the coral you will receive. No substitutions, no variations—you’re purchasing this individual frag with its verified appearance and genetics. This is the precise specimen you see in the provided image.

Care Requirements:

• Lighting: High; Montipora Stellata require strong, high-quality lighting to maintain their vibrant coloration and support photosynthetic zooxanthellae; target PAR 250-350 in the coral’s placement area; LED reef lighting or metal halide systems work excellently; adequate lighting is essential for color vibrancy, polyp extension, and healthy growth.
• Water Flow: Strong, consistent flow; SPS corals thrive with vigorous water movement that prevents detritus accumulation on delicate polyps and supports nutrient delivery; provide strong but not turbulent flow; position coral where flow is direct but allows natural polyp extension and graceful movement; Montipora particularly benefit from consistent, uni-directional flow.
• Feeding & Nutrition: Primarily photosynthetic, but benefit from supplemental feeding; feed with fine particle foods, zooplankton, or specialized SPS foods 2-3 times weekly; supplemental nutrition enhances growth rate, polyp extension, and color intensity; maintain healthy nutrient levels and adequate bioload supporting zooxanthellae and growth.
• Placement: Position in high-light, strong-flow areas where the coral receives excellent illumination and water movement; ideal placement showcases the intricate branching structure and vibrant coloration; allow adequate space for growth and development without shading from neighboring corals; positioning on elevated rockwork displays the delicate form beautifully.
• Calcium & Alkalinity: Maintain elevated, consistent levels supporting robust skeleton growth and development; target calcium 420-450 ppm and alkalinity 9-12 dKH; stable, elevated parameters are essential for SPS growth, vibrant coloration, and impressive growth rates; regular supplementation or calcium reactor systems support optimal conditions.
• Magnesium: Maintain adequate magnesium levels (1,200-1,400 ppm); magnesium supports calcium uptake and skeletal development; deficiency may result in slowed growth or diminished coloration.
• Water Conditions: Require stable, pristine parameters in established reef systems; thrive in excellent water quality with low nutrient levels (nitrogen and phosphorus); benefit from consistent temperature (76-78°F), stable salinity (1.025-1.026), and regular water changes; very sensitive to parameter fluctuations which cause stress, color fade, or tissue recession.
• Acclimation: Allow gradual acclimation to new lighting environments over 2-3 weeks if coming from different lighting conditions; slowly increase light intensity to prevent bleaching; patient acclimation ensures successful color establishment and prevents stress-related recession.
• Compatibility: Generally peaceful but possesses some allelopathic chemical defenses; maintain adequate spacing (6 inches) from other corals to prevent chemical competition or irritation; excellent reef community member with proper placement and spacing.
• Maintenance: Regular monitoring of parameters, consistent feeding, and stable conditions are essential; remove any debris accumulating on polyps; monitor for signs of stress including tissue recession, polyp closure, or color fade; maintain excellent water quality through diligent maintenance.
• Care Level: Moderate to advanced—SPS corals require attention to detail, stable parameters, proper lighting, strong flow, and consistent care; ideal for intermediate to advanced aquarists with established reef systems and experience managing sensitive corals; reward dedicated care with vibrant color and impressive growth rates.

Benefits:

• Vibrant Coloration: Stunning, brilliant colors create eye-catching visual appeal and reef impact
• Excellent Growth Rate: Montipora Stellata are among the faster-growing SPS corals, rewarding dedicated care with impressive development
• Intricate Branching Structure: Delicate, densely-packed polyp arrangement creates beautiful, complex aesthetic
• Versatile Aquascaping: Intricate form allows creative placement and reef landscaping possibilities
• Impressive Size Potential: Frags mature into substantial colonies providing significant reef presence
• Color Stability: Generally maintains vibrant coloration when provided proper conditions
• Hardy (For SPS): Relatively forgiving compared to other SPS species; more adaptable to slight parameter variations
• Premium Quality: WYSIWYG specimen representing the exact frag with verified coloration and characteristics
• Collector Favorite: Widely respected and sought-after SPS species among serious reef enthusiasts
• Hobby Satisfaction: Watching a frag develop into an impressive colony provides meaningful accomplishment

Perfect For:

• Intermediate to advanced aquarists with established reef systems ready for SPS challenges
• Serious reef enthusiasts and coral collectors seeking popular, versatile SPS species
• Systems with proven stable parameters, high-quality lighting, and strong water flow
• Aquarists experienced in maintaining SPS corals and managing sensitive chemistry
• Reef keepers interested in faster-growing SPS species and impressive frag development
• Aquascapers seeking intricate, branching corals for creative reef landscaping
• Systems with adequate calcium/alkalinity supplementation and excellent water quality
• Tanks seeking vibrant, reliable SPS corals that reward consistent, dedicated care

Growth & Development Expectations:

Montipora Stellata are among the faster-growing SPS species. With strong lighting (PAR 250-350 ), excellent flow, stable chemistry, and consistent care, you can expect:

• Noticeable growth within 4-8 weeks of establishment
• Significant branching development over 2-3 months as the coral thrives
• Color maturation improving and intensifying as the coral acclimates and grows
• Substantial colony development over 6-12 months with excellent conditions
• Impressive size potential reaching several inches in mature, healthy systems

Important Notes:

Montipora Stellata are moderately challenging SPS corals requiring stable, high-quality conditions. They are sensitive to parameter fluctuations, poor lighting, insufficient flow, and unstable chemistry. Verify your system has proven stable parameters and high PAR lighting (250-350 ) before purchasing. Acclimate slowly to your lighting environment to prevent bleaching. Strong, consistent flow is essential for this species’ health and growth. SPS corals are sensitive to copper and certain medications—avoid copper-based treatments. This WYSIWYG specimen is final sale subject only to live arrival guarantee—no color, size, or characteristic variations are accepted as returns. All corals benefit from quarantine before introduction to established systems to prevent disease or parasite introduction.

My Tiny Fins Live Arrival Guarantee: Your Montipora Stellata frag is covered by our live arrival guarantee for your confidence. This premium WYSIWYG specimen is guaranteed to arrive healthy, vibrant, and matching the pictured example in all characteristics including coloration, branching structure, and size. Each order includes detailed care instructions and guidance for optimal establishment, acclimation, and long-term growth success. Shipping Policy: We ship on Mondays and Tuesdays with premium packaging and special handling to ensure your valuable frag arrives in pristine condition, fully polyp-extended, and ready to establish and flourish in your reef. As a small business, every order is treasured—thank you for choosing My Tiny Fins!