Now back to the original question...research on these corals...
Montipora Cap Purple
Orange Digitata
Superman Monti
Orange Montipora Encrusting Coral (Montipora nodosus)
Montipora Branched Coral (Montipora digitata) Pink, Purple
Leaf Plate Montipora Coral (Montipora capricornis) Orange, Pink, Purple
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/201-300/Species pages/268.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/201-300/Species pages/251.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/201-300/Species pages/252.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/701-800/Species pages/742.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/401-500/Species pages/458.htm
Montipora sp. are small polyp stony corals that require bright lighting, high water flow, NSW calcium/alkalinity/pH/Mg levels, low nutrients including very low phosphates/nitrates, and phyto-plankton foods. There requirements will mimic all other stony corals. What is important to realize about these corals is that they are peaceful in terms of chemical warfare so can be placed in close proximity to other peaceful corals and remember that these corals are fast growers. Pruning of species may be required to control overgrowth of other species.
*These corals are susceptible to montipora eating nudibranchs and red bugs
Blastomussa wellsi - Fire Red
Blastomussa Merletti
Here is my profile...
Latin Name: Blastomussa merleti/wellsi
Common Name: Blasto merleti and Pipe Blastomussa
Fast facts:Acclimates to medium to moderate water flow, moderate light, and can be fed fleshy foods. These corals are hardy and come in a variety of polyp sizes and colors.
Lighting: Most LPS corals will thrive under moderate light conditions. T5, Power Compact, VHO, and Metal Halide will all do the job.
If you do not have enough light then your corals will lose some colors. However, if you return them to the proper wattage with 10000k/Actinic combos your corals will recover completely.
Environment: Reef, Indo-Pacific
Description: Large polyps extend from stony stems. When full extended the polyps hide the stony skeleton. They are usually red, green, and brown color variants.
Temperature:22C-28C
(72F-82F)
AGGRESSIVENESS: low
Feeding: This coral receives the bulk of it's food from photosynthesis. It can be fed Cyclopes and baby brine shrimp.
Supplements: Cacium and carbonates are a must. 450ppm Calcium/4.5 meg/l Alkilinty
Position: Can be added to sand bed or glued to a reef rock.
Propagation: Stony skeleton can be fragged to form seperate colonies.
Comments: A good intermediate coral for beginners/advanced aquarists. Blasto Merleti is easier to care for than B. Wellsi . I believe these corals should be fed.
View my slide show from pics off of the internet...
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/mrfiremouth/blastos/?action=view¤t=1162835868.pbw
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/mrfiremouth/blastos/?action=view¤t=1162835800.pbw
Acropora Millepora Raspberry
Tortuosa
Purple Acropora Corals (Acropora sp.)
Green Acropora Coral (Acropora sp.)
Blue Acropora Coral (Acropora sp.)
Brown Acropora Coral (Acropora sp.)
Color Tip Acropora Corals (Acropora spp.) All Colors
Neon Acropora Corals (Acropora spp.) All Colors
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/001-100/Species pages/23.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/701-800/Species pages/782.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/001-100/Species pages/33.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/001-100/Species pages/47.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/801-900/Species pages/824.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/401-500/Species pages/417.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/001-100/Species pages/75.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/001-100/Species pages/81.htm
These are the most commonly seen acros in the hobby. There are many more available upon request of your LFS. Their care requirements are the same as for the montiporas. These corals are also not very aggressive and can be colonized closely to one another. Cuttings will be required to control growth. Colors will vary upon collection site, depth, and light/nutrient levels. These corals will also feed on micro zooplankton and phto-plankton.
Pink Cotton Pillow
Stylophora Coral (Stylophora spp.)
Pocillopora Cauliflower Coral (Pocillopora damicornis) Pink
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/301-400/Species pages/345.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/801-900/Species pages/883.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/301-400/Species pages/307.htm
Again these are peaceful corals with the same care requirements as above.
Porites Coral Yellow (Porites spp.)
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/801-900/Species pages/897.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/601-700/Species pages/603.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/301-400/Species pages/318.htm
Yet another peaceful coral.Porites corals are associated with the symbiotic christmas tree worms and parasitic barnacles. Their care requirements are the same as above.
Hydnophora Horn Coral (Hydnophora sp.)
Encrusting Horn Coral (Hydnophora exesa) Cream
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/201-300/Species pages/215.htm
Hydnorphoras come in varying degrees of bright neon green and different shapes. These corals are beautiful but are extremely aggressive to other corals thru chemical warfare. Placement in the tank in relation to flow is critical! These corals can release tiny fragments of nemocyst that sting other corals forcing their immune system to fail and then they RTN and die. These corals can be kept with other corals but care needs to be given to where they are placed. Blue slimers and green slimers are common names of 2 other aggressive corals. Care requirements are the same as above.
OrangeRicordia (Ricordia florida)
http://www.ricordea.org/mushroom_coral/ricordea_florida.htm
http://www.tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/fish_profiles_florida.php
Ricordea Florida are hardy mushrooms that should be placed near the bottom and in shaded areas of a tank with 400w of light. Ricordea yuma(tonga mushroom) is also less tolerant of bright lighting and should be placed in a shadier area.
Turbinaria Ruffled Ridge Coral (Turbinaria sp.)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=487
http://www.asira.org/caresheetsIII.pdf
Page 33
Cup corals, ruffled corals are very hardy and adaptable to different lighting conditions. I would place them lower in the aquarium and sit the sideways so that detrtius doesn't settle in the bottom of the ridges/cup.
I hope this helps, Rich
Montipora Cap Purple
Orange Digitata
Superman Monti
Orange Montipora Encrusting Coral (Montipora nodosus)
Montipora Branched Coral (Montipora digitata) Pink, Purple
Leaf Plate Montipora Coral (Montipora capricornis) Orange, Pink, Purple
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/201-300/Species pages/268.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/201-300/Species pages/251.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/201-300/Species pages/252.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/701-800/Species pages/742.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/401-500/Species pages/458.htm
Montipora sp. are small polyp stony corals that require bright lighting, high water flow, NSW calcium/alkalinity/pH/Mg levels, low nutrients including very low phosphates/nitrates, and phyto-plankton foods. There requirements will mimic all other stony corals. What is important to realize about these corals is that they are peaceful in terms of chemical warfare so can be placed in close proximity to other peaceful corals and remember that these corals are fast growers. Pruning of species may be required to control overgrowth of other species.
*These corals are susceptible to montipora eating nudibranchs and red bugs
Blastomussa wellsi - Fire Red
Blastomussa Merletti
Here is my profile...
Latin Name: Blastomussa merleti/wellsi
Common Name: Blasto merleti and Pipe Blastomussa
Fast facts:Acclimates to medium to moderate water flow, moderate light, and can be fed fleshy foods. These corals are hardy and come in a variety of polyp sizes and colors.
Lighting: Most LPS corals will thrive under moderate light conditions. T5, Power Compact, VHO, and Metal Halide will all do the job.
If you do not have enough light then your corals will lose some colors. However, if you return them to the proper wattage with 10000k/Actinic combos your corals will recover completely.
Environment: Reef, Indo-Pacific
Description: Large polyps extend from stony stems. When full extended the polyps hide the stony skeleton. They are usually red, green, and brown color variants.
Temperature:22C-28C
(72F-82F)
AGGRESSIVENESS: low
Feeding: This coral receives the bulk of it's food from photosynthesis. It can be fed Cyclopes and baby brine shrimp.
Supplements: Cacium and carbonates are a must. 450ppm Calcium/4.5 meg/l Alkilinty
Position: Can be added to sand bed or glued to a reef rock.
Propagation: Stony skeleton can be fragged to form seperate colonies.
Comments: A good intermediate coral for beginners/advanced aquarists. Blasto Merleti is easier to care for than B. Wellsi . I believe these corals should be fed.
View my slide show from pics off of the internet...
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/mrfiremouth/blastos/?action=view¤t=1162835868.pbw
http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/mrfiremouth/blastos/?action=view¤t=1162835800.pbw
Acropora Millepora Raspberry
Tortuosa
Purple Acropora Corals (Acropora sp.)
Green Acropora Coral (Acropora sp.)
Blue Acropora Coral (Acropora sp.)
Brown Acropora Coral (Acropora sp.)
Color Tip Acropora Corals (Acropora spp.) All Colors
Neon Acropora Corals (Acropora spp.) All Colors
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/001-100/Species pages/23.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/701-800/Species pages/782.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/001-100/Species pages/33.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/001-100/Species pages/47.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/801-900/Species pages/824.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/401-500/Species pages/417.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/001-100/Species pages/75.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/001-100/Species pages/81.htm
These are the most commonly seen acros in the hobby. There are many more available upon request of your LFS. Their care requirements are the same as for the montiporas. These corals are also not very aggressive and can be colonized closely to one another. Cuttings will be required to control growth. Colors will vary upon collection site, depth, and light/nutrient levels. These corals will also feed on micro zooplankton and phto-plankton.
Pink Cotton Pillow
Stylophora Coral (Stylophora spp.)
Pocillopora Cauliflower Coral (Pocillopora damicornis) Pink
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/301-400/Species pages/345.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/801-900/Species pages/883.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/301-400/Species pages/307.htm
Again these are peaceful corals with the same care requirements as above.
Porites Coral Yellow (Porites spp.)
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/801-900/Species pages/897.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/601-700/Species pages/603.htm
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/301-400/Species pages/318.htm
Yet another peaceful coral.Porites corals are associated with the symbiotic christmas tree worms and parasitic barnacles. Their care requirements are the same as above.
Hydnophora Horn Coral (Hydnophora sp.)
Encrusting Horn Coral (Hydnophora exesa) Cream
http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/201-300/Species pages/215.htm
Hydnorphoras come in varying degrees of bright neon green and different shapes. These corals are beautiful but are extremely aggressive to other corals thru chemical warfare. Placement in the tank in relation to flow is critical! These corals can release tiny fragments of nemocyst that sting other corals forcing their immune system to fail and then they RTN and die. These corals can be kept with other corals but care needs to be given to where they are placed. Blue slimers and green slimers are common names of 2 other aggressive corals. Care requirements are the same as above.
OrangeRicordia (Ricordia florida)
http://www.ricordea.org/mushroom_coral/ricordea_florida.htm
http://www.tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/fish_profiles_florida.php
Ricordea Florida are hardy mushrooms that should be placed near the bottom and in shaded areas of a tank with 400w of light. Ricordea yuma(tonga mushroom) is also less tolerant of bright lighting and should be placed in a shadier area.
Turbinaria Ruffled Ridge Coral (Turbinaria sp.)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=487
http://www.asira.org/caresheetsIII.pdf
Page 33
Cup corals, ruffled corals are very hardy and adaptable to different lighting conditions. I would place them lower in the aquarium and sit the sideways so that detrtius doesn't settle in the bottom of the ridges/cup.
I hope this helps, Rich