It is found in shallow water in East Africa, the Indo-West Pacific, Kenya, Mozambique and Rodriguez.

Colonies of Montipora digitata are digitate or bushy with vertically aligned, anastomosing branches, and forming hemispherical mounds that may be 40 centimetres (16 in) or more in diameter.

The corallites are small and deeply sunk into the skeleton, giving it a pitted appearance.

Packets of eggs and sperm are released into the water column and, being buoyant, rise to the surface.

The main threats faced by corals are related to climate change; the mechanical destruction of their coral reef habitats, increasing damage from extreme weather events, rising sea water temperatures and ocean acidification.