Monti cap growth pattern

[SallyWho]

I've got a purple monti cap that's growing fingers rather than plates. Is this normal? A result of flow, light, and/or water conditions?

 

[GabeM]

probably low light what are you running?

 

[SallyWho]

probably low light what are you running?

A couple of Gen 2 radions and T5s. To be honest though, I need to clean the glass tank lids and change out the T5 bulbs. I've been putting off changing the bulbs until I can redo my canopy.

 

[C. Eymann]

Thats not montipora capricornis

Its most likely M. undata, possibly hodgsoni


Seems like commonplace that any semi plating montipora in the hobby is automatically labeled as a "cap" or capricornis incorrectly.

Many times this purple morph is referred to as "idaho grape"

 

[SallyWho]

Thats not montipora capricornis

Its most likely M. undata, possibly hodgsoni


Seems like commonplace that any semi plating montipora in the hobby is automatically labeled as a "cap" or capricornis incorrectly.

Many times this purple morph is referred to as "idaho grape"

Oh. So it's not likely to plate or scroll out nicely? I mean, it's still a pretty color, but I was hoping for a plating type.

 

[C. Eymann]

Oh. So it's not likely to plate or scroll out nicely? I mean, it's still a pretty color, but I was hoping for a plating type.

It will still plate and scroll eventually, but these tend to encrust a lot more before doing so compared to actual M. capricornis.

Of course lighting and flow will play a hand in its growth pattern as well.