Hirsuta Branching Montipora (Montipora hirsuta)

​Looking to add some architectural height and incredible texture to your reef? The Montipora hirsuta is a stunning branching SPS coral that is famous for its heavily textured, "fuzzy" appearance.

​Unlike flat, plating Montiporas, the hirsuta grows upwards and outwards in intricate, finger-like thickets. When placed in the right conditions, this coral exhibits massive polyp extension during the day, giving the branches a deeply shaggy, velvet-like look. Usually boasting a vibrant, glowing neon green base with contrasting polyps, it brings a massive pop of colour and complex structure to the upper levels of your aquascape.

​At UKReef Hampshire, we absolutely love the Montipora hirsuta because it is one of the fastest-growing and most forgiving SPS corals available, making it the perfect "confidence builder" for reefers transitioning from LPS to SPS!

​Quick Care Guide:

​Care Level: Moderate. While it is one of the easiest SPS corals to keep, it still requires a mature tank with stable water parameters—specifically Alkalinity, Calcium, and Magnesium—to build its branching skeleton.

​Temperament: Peaceful. This coral has virtually no sting. ⚠️ Important: Because it is so peaceful, it will easily lose a turf war if placed too close to aggressive LPS corals (like Torches or Hammers) or fast-encrusting softies. Give it plenty of clear vertical space to branch out safely!

​Placement: Middle to Top. Secure the frag firmly to your rockwork where it has room to grow upwards into a colony.

​Lighting: Moderate to High. It needs plenty of light to maintain that vibrant green colour and fuel its fast growth rate. If it starts turning a dull brown, it likely needs to be moved higher up in the tank.

​Water Flow: Moderate to High. It thrives in strong, randomized flow. As the colony grows into a dense thicket, good flow is essential to ensure detritus doesn't settle deep between the branches, which can cause tissue necrosis.

​Feeding: Fully photosynthetic. It will get the vast majority of its energy from your reef lights. However, it will highly benefit from broadcast feeding with micro-plankton (like Reef Roids) or amino acids to boost that famous "fuzzy" polyp extension.