This massive encrusting Montipora has a bright blue/purple base pigmentation color.
Polyps are colored dark purple/blue. Corallites are slightly depressed in form with
ridges that run inbetween the corallite centers. What makes this coral very unique
is that bright green pigments can develop on the top of these ridges. This makes
for a very dramatic pigmentation pattern. The Dinosaur Egg Monti Coral was found
and named by Matt Juner of
Reefready.net and Mike Obrien of
Rarefrags.com . They acquired the coral from a wholesaler within the Bay Area
of California in late 2005. Matt has noticed that when the coral is placed in strong
light it develops more purple/blue pigments. When placed in weak light the coral develops
more green pigments. Steve Tyree is maintaining a farmed section of this coral
for reeffarmers.com in one of his 125 gallon naturally filtered Tri-Zonal Reef Aquariums. In
Steve's captive reef the coral is positoned to recieve moderate light levels under a
400 watt 20,000 K Radium Metal Halide. Please note this coral was retired on
December 2008 due to the loss of the seed.
Dinosaur Egg Monti Reeffarmers Closeup. Note how the
Lime Green Pigmentation can develop just along the ridges.