{"product_id":"hirsuta-montipora-hirsuta","title":"Hirsuta - Montipora hirsuta","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHirsuta (Montipora hirsuta)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHirsuta is an attractive SPS coral appreciated for its fine branching structure, textured surface and bright reef colouration under suitable lighting. Its compact, bushy growth makes it a useful coral for adding shape, height and natural reef structure to a stable SPS or mixed reef aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHirsuta, Montipora Hirsuta, Branching Montipora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora hirsuta\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoral Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSPS Coral\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Form:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBranching to bushy growth form with fine textured branches and small polyps.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontipora hirsuta is found across Indo-Pacific reef environments, usually on reef slopes, shallow reef structures and well-lit rocky areas where it receives strong water movement, clear water and stable tropical reef conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature: 24–26°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH Range: 8.1–8.4\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSalinity: SG 1.024–1.026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlkalinity: 7–10 dKH\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCalcium: 400–450 ppm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMagnesium: 1250–1350 ppm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNitrate: Low but detectable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePhosphate: Low but detectable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eMEDIUM TO HIGH\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHirsuta generally does best under medium to high reef lighting. Strong lighting can help maintain colour and healthy growth, but it should be acclimated gradually to avoid bleaching, paling or tissue stress.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlow\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eMEDIUM TO HIGH\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvide moderate to strong, indirect and random flow. Good water movement helps keep the branches clear of detritus and supports healthy gas exchange. Avoid constant direct flow blasting one area of tissue, as this can cause irritation or recession.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlace on middle to upper rockwork where the coral can receive good light and consistent flow. Allow enough room around the coral for branching growth and avoid placing it where it may be shaded by larger corals or overgrown by faster-growing species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament \/ Aggression:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003ePeaceful to semi-aggressive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHirsuta does not usually have long sweeper tentacles, but it can compete for space as it grows. Provide sensible spacing from neighbouring corals, especially fleshy LPS corals or aggressive species that may sting its tissue.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003ePhotosynthetic, but benefits from feeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis coral receives most of its energy from light through its symbiotic zooxanthellae. It may benefit from amino acids, fine coral foods and very small suspended particulate foods in a mature reef system, although heavy target feeding is not required.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eModerate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn a stable reef aquarium, Hirsuta can grow steadily, developing a fuller branching structure over time. Growth is strongly supported by stable alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, lighting and flow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHirsuta is best kept in a mature, stable reef aquarium with consistent alkalinity and low but detectable nutrients. Avoid sudden changes in light intensity, salinity or alkalinity, as SPS corals can react quickly to instability. Ensure detritus does not settle between the branches and inspect carefully before introduction. Coral dips are recommended where appropriate, particularly to reduce the risk of SPS pests and Montipora-eating nudibranchs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIntermediate reefkeepers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvailability can vary depending on colour intensity, supplier naming and season.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the coral you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns, colours and growth form will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Frag","offer_id":46824563605677,"sku":"AG-104089","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Colony","offer_id":46824563638445,"sku":"AG-104090","price":100.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/Hirsuta-Montiporahirsuta.jpg?v=1783941005","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/hirsuta-montipora-hirsuta","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}