Upscales Dragons Eye Montastrea
Montastrea curta
Saltwater Coral
Species Group: Montastrea
Family: Faviidae
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Water parameters
Temp
76-80 F
Temperature
Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.
pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of HydrogenMeasuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.
NO3 1-20 ppm NitrateWhile less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.
NO2 <0.0001 ppm NitriteIt is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia
PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm PhosphateIt is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.
NH3 <0.1 ppm AmmoniaIt is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death
Ca 380 - 450 ppm CalciumSupporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae
KH 8 - 12 dKH AlkalinityIt acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.
Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm MagnesiumIt enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.
SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG SalinityEssential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals
ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction PotentialA higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.
About Upscales Dragons Eye Montastrea
General information
In general, corals coming from the genus Montastrea usually has an encrusting or massive type of coral growth. They colonies are spherical and is composed of several corallites that are circular in shape and are closely compacted to each other.
For the Upscales Dragons Eye Montastrea, they are predominatly colored blue with red mouth. This are the water parameters for cultivating Upscales Dragons Eye Montastrea:
- Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm
- Alkalinity: 2.86 – 3.93 MEQ/L (8 – 11 dKH)
- Phosphates: 0
- Magnesium: 1200 – 1350
- Strontium: 8 -10
- Temperature: 74° – 83° F (23° – 28° C)
- Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025
Diet & nutrition
Upscales Dragons Eye Montastrea can survive without feeding courtesy from the nourishment it recieves from the symbiotic zooxanthellae that is living within them. However, they will not grow in to a bigger colony. With this and for faster growth, you need to feed them with supplemental foods like krill, mysis or brine shrimp. The addition of dissolved organics is also recommended.
Determining sex
A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Upscales Dragons Eye Montastrea. They need to be set at the bottom portion of the tank where lighting and flow rate are in moderation.
Breeding & spawning
Upscales Dragons Eye Montastrea requires moderate lighting and moderate water flow. Too much water flow causes the polyps to be retracted and feeding cannot take place.
Diseases
Upscales Dragons Eye Montastrea is susceptible to hair algae. This ussually occurs if the water flow is too low or not sufficient.
Origination
Upscales Dragons Eye Montastrea can be found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. They are now listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which means that their global trading is now monitored.
Cautions
Upscales Dragons Eye Montastrea must be set in the tank with enough spacing in relation to other coral species.
Acclimation process
Since the Upscales Dragons Eye Montastrea are a marine species, salinity must be entirely maintained at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity. They should be immediately set to its receiving substrate like rocks and be permanently positioned using gel glue so that the colonization process can commence.
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