Description
Montipora Palawanensis (Beach Bum, Kung Pao monti)
Montipora Palawanensis (Beach Bum / Kung Pao monti) is an encrusting Montipora from Indonesia. There are a few colour variants and some being given posh names just to promote sales. Having imported a few from different sources we’ve found that this colour variant with these names is all the same species. The Kung Pao Monti originally came from Bali Aquarium and is shimmering gold in colour, but a closer look reveals a fusion of many different colors. Lighting colour, intensity, minerals and diet all contribute to the final colouration.
Although rare to begin with, M. palawanensis is often found in shades of red or orange, and to a lesser degree in green, often with brightly contrasting blue, green or red-orange polyps and is now quite common in aquariums.
It looks best under blue lights where it then shines a lovely orange but does benefit from white light during the day. I just doesn’t look great under whites as our pictures show.
I can also be vulnerable to the Montipora eating nudibranch.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Lighting: Medium
Flow: Medium to High
Feeding: Relies on zooxanthellae
Aggressiveness: Peaceful
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Strontium and Iodine