Montipora capricornis Growth Under Varying Tank Conditions

Research and presentation by Charlie Biggerstaff and Marshal

Noonan

Background on M. Capricornis

• Sceleratinian coral, Acropora family.

• Typically grow in shallow to medium depths with intense tropical light.

• Native to Indonesia

• Known for vase-like shape

• Considered fairly fast growing for a hard coral

Shimek, 2004

Perun 2012

Research Questions

• Do calcium levels in the tank affect the growth of M. capricornis?

• Does tank depth affect the growth of M. capricornis?

• Does M. capricornis grow better under different types of lights?

• Does current flow affect the growth rate of M. capricornis

• Do any of the aforementioned variables affect the color of M. capricornis during growth?

Previous Research

• T5 and metal halide lamps appear to have the most success.

• Contradictory reports on the affects of tank depth.

• Some aquarium owners claim faster growth in direct current

• Overall limited previous research.Coral Lore 2012Fishlore 2012Fatherree 2000

Hypothesis

• The growth rate of Montipora capricornis in all three dimensions will be highest in shallow depths under either T5 or metal halide lamps with no shade and moderate calcium levels, and the color of Montipora capricornis will remain constant.

Methods

Fragging

• All fragments taken from specimens in 90 gallon tank.

• Acclimated to new tanks and then placed on the racks

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gBS2xnbpYU

Measurements

• Taken using a ruler

• All measurements in centimeters

• DID NOT include expanded/flatened out base portion in width.

Set-Ups

• Depth experiment set up with two racks in the 70 gallon tank.

• Lighting set up with one rack in C3, other three corals on bottom.

• Current flow experiment set up with two racks in 70 gallon tank, one directly in from of a powerhead.

Results

Depth Experiment – 70 Tank

• On average, corals A, B, and C (shallow) grew in height 57% faster than 1, 2, and 3 (deep).

• Negligible increases in width in all cases.

Vertical Growth Rate (cm) of Corals in Depth Experiment Under Metal Halide Lamp

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

11/15

/2012

11/22

/2012

11/29

/2012

12/6/

2012

12/13

/2012

12/20

/2012

12/27

/2012

1/3/20

13

1/10/2

013

1/17/2

013

1/24/2

013

1/31/2

013

2/7/20

13

2/14/2

013

2/21/2

013

Date

Grow

th (c

m)

A

B

C

One

Two

Three

Lighting Experiment – C3 vs. 70

• T5 in C3 vs. metal halide in 70

• Light on C3 burnt out, no light for about two days.

• New light was smaller, less effective coverage of tank.

• For an unknown period of time this light never went off, resulting in eventual full bleaching of all involved corals.

Lighting Experiment Continued

• Results – the corals in the 70 tank under metal halide lighting grew noticeably more, faster.

• Keep in mind the bleaching – definite impact on results.

Vertical Growth Rate (cm) of Corals in Depth Experiment Under Metal Halide Lamp

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

11/1

5/2

012

11/2

2/2

012

11/2

9/2

012

12/6

/2012

12/1

3/2

012

12/2

0/2

012

12/2

7/2

012

1/3

/2013

1/1

0/2

013

1/1

7/2

013

1/2

4/2

013

1/3

1/2

013

2/7

/2013

2/1

4/2

013

2/2

1/2

013

Date

Gro

wth

(cm

) A

B

C

One

Two

Three

Vertical Growth Rate (cm) of Corals in C3 Under T5 Lamp

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

Date

Gro

wth

(cm

)

D

E

F

Four

Five

Six

Current Flow Experiment – 70 Tank

• Early on the corals in the current actually shrank and started to bleach.

• Final results also indicated faster growth outside of current, but only slightly.

• Data is relatively inconclusive.

Vertical Growth Rate (cm) of Corals in Current Flow Experiment

-0.6

-0.4

-0.2

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

3/11

/201

33/

13/2

013

3/15

/201

33/

17/2

013

3/19

/201

33/

21/2

013

3/23

/201

33/

25/2

013

3/27

/201

33/

29/2

013

3/31

/201

34/

2/20

134/

4/20

134/

6/20

134/

8/20

134/

10/2

013

4/12

/201

34/

14/2

013

4/16

/201

34/

18/2

013

Date

Grow

th (c

m)

G

H

I

Seven

Eight

Nine

Coloration

• In all three experiments there was no observed change in color.

• The only exception is the bleaching in C3

Possible Continuation of Research

• More Samples• Alternate measuring method• Monoculture tank environments• Uniform water chemistry• Uniform starting specimen sizes – not feasible

using our fragging technique. • Work with larger specimens in addition to

smaller fragments.• Grow samples without using plugs.

Application of Results

• Valuable to aquarium owners planning on growing smaller specimens.

• Adds to the limited existing data pool.

• Potentially helpful to future conservation efforts.

• Useful for coral propagation and sales.

Bibliography

"Montipora Capricornis." Blane Perun's TheSea.Org. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://www.thesea.org/montipora/Montipora_Capricornis.htm>.

"Montipora Capricornis" ["Montipora Capricornis"]. Coral Lore Reefkeeping Made    Simple. Coral Lore, 7 Apr. 2012. Web. 29 Sept. 2012.   <http://www.corallore.com/montipora-capricornis-486.htm>.

"Montipora Capricornis" ["Montipora Capricornis"]. Fishlore Aquarium Fish Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://www.fishlore.com/ coral/montipora-capricornis.htm>.

"Montipora Capricornis Classification." Animal Diversity Web.N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2012. <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Montipora_capricornis/classification/>.

Fatherree, Jim. Hard Corals: Selecting and Maintaining Hard Corals, Feeding and Algal Symbiosis, Lighting and Water Clarity. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H., 2000. Print.

Friese, U. Erich. Marine Invertebrates in the Home Aquarium. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications, 1973. Print.

Shimek, Ronald L. Marine Invertebrates: 500+ Essential-to-know Aquarium Species. Neptune City, NJ: TFH-Microcosm, 2004. Print.

Tullock, John H. Corals: Everything about Purchase, Care, Feeding, and Compatibility. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series, 2000. Print.