Blastomussa
Blastomussa merletti
Also known as Blasto, Merletti Blasto, Pineapple Coral, Swollen Brain Coral
SaltwaterCoral
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 5.9 in
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 11 gal
- 40 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Lobophylliidae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific
Overview
One of the more peaceful LPS corals, Blastomussa lacks the long stinging sweepers of Euphyllia or brain corals, though it is still best given a little space from aggressive neighbors. It appreciates regular feeding with finely chopped meaty foods and does well in the calmer, shadier parts of a reef. Propagated by fragging the branching base.
In the wild
Blastomussa merletti forms clusters of small, rounded fleshy polyps on branching corallites and comes from Indo-Pacific reefs, often from deeper, shaded areas. It is a low-light coral that prefers about 50 to 150 PAR and gentle, low to moderate flow, which lets its polyps inflate fully without being pushed around. Place it on stable rockwork or sand in a calm, low-traffic spot at 24 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4.
Good to know
Blastomussa merletti is a large polyp stony coral in the family Lobophylliidae, with smaller, more numerous polyps than its relative Blastomussa wellsi. It is photosynthetic but feeds well from the water column, capturing fine meaty foods and phytoplankton. Colonies spread by adding new polyps around the base.
Did you know
Blastomussa is one of the few LPS corals mellow enough to keep in a lower-light, gentle-flow tank alongside soft corals without worrying about it stinging its neighbors.
Common questions
What size tank does a Blastomussa need?
A Blastomussa needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Blastomussa need?
A Blastomussa is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Blastomussa get?
An adult Blastomussa reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).
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