Montipora Capricornis
Recognized here as the best-in-class encrusting stony coral, Montipora capricornis combines rapid lateral growth and predictable plating behavior that make it ideal for reefkeepers seeking quick cover and frequent frags—a clear technical and financial advantage for breeders compared with slower growers. Compared with Montipora undata it is markedly hardier and cheaper to propagate, and it generally requires higher lighting than Leptoseris but provides faster aesthetic returns than the bulkier Mycedium or lower-cost Pavona.
Terraced plating
Electric color pop
Terraced plating
Electric color pop
Review Summary
"Most hobbyists praise its fast plating growth and color variety under strong light and flow; it performs well for experienced reef keepers but can be sensitive to sudden water changes and Montipora-eating pests."
Plates like terraces
Rapid encrusting and plating growth that quickly covers rockwork under moderate-high lighting.
Plates like terraces
Rapid encrusting and plating growth that quickly covers rockwork under moderate-high lighting.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Self-Improvement & Personal Growth
Recognized here as the best-in-class encrusting stony coral, Montipora capricornis combines rapid lateral growth and predictable plating behavior that make it ideal for reefkeepers seeking quick cover and frequent frags—a clear technical and financial advantage for breeders compared with slower growers. Compared with Montipora undata it is markedly hardier and cheaper to propagate, and it generally requires higher lighting than Leptoseris but provides faster aesthetic returns than the bulkier Mycedium or lower-cost Pavona.
Terraced plating
Electric color pop
Plates like terraces
Rapid encrusting and plating growth that quickly covers rockwork under moderate-high lighting.
Performs best with stable calcium and alkalinity and moderate to strong water flow.
Terraced plating
Electric color pop
Plates like terraces
Rapid encrusting and plating growth that quickly covers rockwork under moderate-high lighting.
Performs best with stable calcium and alkalinity and moderate to strong water flow.
$40-150 CAD
Montipora Undata
Montipora undata holds a market-leader position among collectors for its delicate, wavy encrusting texture and striking coloration that command premium prices despite slower growth rates. Technically it is more sensitive to water chemistry than Montipora capricornis, which raises husbandry costs, but its rarity and patterning often yield greater per-frag value than the more common Pavona or the plate-like Mycedium.
Wavy texture
Fine encruster
Wavy texture
Fine encruster
Review Summary
"Known for delicate, wavy plating and attractive texture, reviewers report good growth in stable SPS setups but note it is slightly more demanding than common Montipora species."
Waves in slow-mo
Distinct wavy, undulating plating and textured surface that adds depth to reef scapes.
Waves in slow-mo
Distinct wavy, undulating plating and textured surface that adds depth to reef scapes.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Montipora undata holds a market-leader position among collectors for its delicate, wavy encrusting texture and striking coloration that command premium prices despite slower growth rates. Technically it is more sensitive to water chemistry than Montipora capricornis, which raises husbandry costs, but its rarity and patterning often yield greater per-frag value than the more common Pavona or the plate-like Mycedium.
Wavy texture
Fine encruster
Waves in slow-mo
Distinct wavy, undulating plating and textured surface that adds depth to reef scapes.
Prefers moderate-high light and steady water chemistry to maintain growth and coloration.
Wavy texture
Fine encruster
Waves in slow-mo
Distinct wavy, undulating plating and textured surface that adds depth to reef scapes.
Prefers moderate-high light and steady water chemistry to maintain growth and coloration.
$80-250 CAD
Leptoseris Orange Eye
Leptoseris 'Orange Eye' is the niche leader for low-light encrusting applications, thriving where moderate to low PAR is preferred and allowing hobbyists to save on intense lighting setups—an operational cost benefit compared with light-demanding Montipora species. While it grows more slowly and produces fewer marketable frags than Montipora capricornis, its specialized appeal and dependable performance in shaded or deep-tank displays make it technically advantageous for certain reef designs.
Orange-eye focal
Subtle shimmer
Orange-eye focal
Subtle shimmer
Review Summary
"Highly prized for its striking orange-eye coloration but many users find it slow-growing and somewhat picky about light and water stability, so experiences are mixed between enthusiastic keepers and those who struggled."
Center like a sunrise
Striking orange 'eye' center with contrasting rim makes it a standout centerpiece.
Center like a sunrise
Striking orange 'eye' center with contrasting rim makes it a standout centerpiece.
Recreational Enjoyment
Leptoseris 'Orange Eye' is the niche leader for low-light encrusting applications, thriving where moderate to low PAR is preferred and allowing hobbyists to save on intense lighting setups—an operational cost benefit compared with light-demanding Montipora species. While it grows more slowly and produces fewer marketable frags than Montipora capricornis, its specialized appeal and dependable performance in shaded or deep-tank displays make it technically advantageous for certain reef designs.
Orange-eye focal
Subtle shimmer
Center like a sunrise
Striking orange 'eye' center with contrasting rim makes it a standout centerpiece.
Typically prefers low-to-moderate light and gentle flow compared with many SPS encrusters.
Orange-eye focal
Subtle shimmer
Center like a sunrise
Striking orange 'eye' center with contrasting rim makes it a standout centerpiece.
Typically prefers low-to-moderate light and gentle flow compared with many SPS encrusters.
$150-400 CAD
Mycedium Elephantotus
Mycedium elephantotus is the market choice when bold plate-like encrusting forms are desired; its thick tissue and large surface area create striking focal pieces that command high retail prices despite lower frag yields. It is generally more tolerant of flow and marginal water changes than the more delicate Montipora undata and offers a visual impact that can deliver stronger single-frag returns compared with budget options like Pavona, though it requires more aquarium footprint.
Bowed plates
Bold patterning
Bowed plates
Bold patterning
Review Summary
"Owners like its bold color patterns and encrusting habit; it can be temperamental with feeding and lighting, but successful keepers report steady growth and vivid coloration over time."
Elephant-skin ridges
Thick, folded plating with an 'elephant-skin' texture provides sculptural interest.
Elephant-skin ridges
Thick, folded plating with an 'elephant-skin' texture provides sculptural interest.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Self-Improvement & Personal Growth
Mycedium elephantotus is the market choice when bold plate-like encrusting forms are desired; its thick tissue and large surface area create striking focal pieces that command high retail prices despite lower frag yields. It is generally more tolerant of flow and marginal water changes than the more delicate Montipora undata and offers a visual impact that can deliver stronger single-frag returns compared with budget options like Pavona, though it requires more aquarium footprint.
Bowed plates
Bold patterning
Elephant-skin ridges
Thick, folded plating with an 'elephant-skin' texture provides sculptural interest.
Adaptable to moderate lighting and flow but benefits from stable alkalinity and calcium.
Bowed plates
Bold patterning
Elephant-skin ridges
Thick, folded plating with an 'elephant-skin' texture provides sculptural interest.
Adaptable to moderate lighting and flow but benefits from stable alkalinity and calcium.
$100-300 CAD
Pavona Cactus Coral
Pavona cactus is positioned as the best-value encrusting stony coral, prized for its ease of care and rapid acclimation which reduce upfront and ongoing costs for hobbyists and retailers alike. Technically forgiving compared with premium Montipora and Mycedium specimens, Pavona provides quick aesthetic results and high availability, making it an economical choice for beginners or for filling display space where the higher-priced species would be overkill.
Cactus fingers
Hardy keeper
Cactus fingers
Hardy keeper
Review Summary
"Generally rated as hardy and easy to keep, it encrusts reliably and tolerates a range of conditions, though color intensity varies by lighting and placement; most hobbyists find it beginner-friendly."
Spiky look, no pricks
Forms cactus-like encrusting plates with ridged surfaces that enhance tank structure.
Spiky look, no pricks
Forms cactus-like encrusting plates with ridged surfaces that enhance tank structure.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Pavona cactus is positioned as the best-value encrusting stony coral, prized for its ease of care and rapid acclimation which reduce upfront and ongoing costs for hobbyists and retailers alike. Technically forgiving compared with premium Montipora and Mycedium specimens, Pavona provides quick aesthetic results and high availability, making it an economical choice for beginners or for filling display space where the higher-priced species would be overkill.
Cactus fingers
Hardy keeper
Spiky look, no pricks
Forms cactus-like encrusting plates with ridged surfaces that enhance tank structure.
Tolerant of a range of conditions, thriving under moderate lighting and moderate flow.
Cactus fingers
Hardy keeper
Spiky look, no pricks
Forms cactus-like encrusting plates with ridged surfaces that enhance tank structure.
Tolerant of a range of conditions, thriving under moderate lighting and moderate flow.
$60-200 CAD