j21kickster
Active Member
Due to popular request I will be submitting this coral of the week.
Blastomussa wellsi, merleti AKA Pineapple Coral, Blasto, Open brain and sometimes falsely called a Moon coral.
Blastomussa corals have a phaceloid skeleton (a stony colony formation where seperate corallites extend from the central skeleton). When fully extended, the polyps cover the entire skeleton. The most common species sold is B.merleti, which is what i have and is pictured below. The most common color morphs found for sale are usually pink or brown with green centers.
The Blastomussa coral is a relativly hardy reef addition. They prefer moderate water flow- not direct current. They also thrive best under moderate lighting, If kept in a tank with strong MH lighting, the polyps do not usually open fully, if they are in a higher location. That said they should be placed lower in the aquarium and will thrive under PC and VHO lighting. Occasional feedings of vitamin enriched brine as well as mysis will also ensure their success although this in not a must. There are often other inhabitants found living in the branching skeleton of this coral which may include, Sponges, Mollusks, a variety of pods as well as other sessile inverts. Also they do not have sweeper tentacles so they may be placed in close proximity of other corals but are somewhat vounerable to stinging damage
Blastos are very easy to propagate via cuttings by simple breaking off a group, or single, for that matter, skeleton branch.
Maintaning calcium levels as well as trace elements help in their growth and overall success.
Here is a picture of my colony theat is thriving and reproducing in my 20 gallon under 4x32w PC lighting and no Skimmer, (2xMonth water change)
Mine is the more common Blastomussa merleti- B.wellsi is the same as far as care, the major difference is the polyp size- B.wellsi has significantly larger polyps
Blastomussa wellsi, merleti AKA Pineapple Coral, Blasto, Open brain and sometimes falsely called a Moon coral.
Blastomussa corals have a phaceloid skeleton (a stony colony formation where seperate corallites extend from the central skeleton). When fully extended, the polyps cover the entire skeleton. The most common species sold is B.merleti, which is what i have and is pictured below. The most common color morphs found for sale are usually pink or brown with green centers.
The Blastomussa coral is a relativly hardy reef addition. They prefer moderate water flow- not direct current. They also thrive best under moderate lighting, If kept in a tank with strong MH lighting, the polyps do not usually open fully, if they are in a higher location. That said they should be placed lower in the aquarium and will thrive under PC and VHO lighting. Occasional feedings of vitamin enriched brine as well as mysis will also ensure their success although this in not a must. There are often other inhabitants found living in the branching skeleton of this coral which may include, Sponges, Mollusks, a variety of pods as well as other sessile inverts. Also they do not have sweeper tentacles so they may be placed in close proximity of other corals but are somewhat vounerable to stinging damage
Blastos are very easy to propagate via cuttings by simple breaking off a group, or single, for that matter, skeleton branch.
Maintaning calcium levels as well as trace elements help in their growth and overall success.
Here is a picture of my colony theat is thriving and reproducing in my 20 gallon under 4x32w PC lighting and no Skimmer, (2xMonth water change)
Mine is the more common Blastomussa merleti- B.wellsi is the same as far as care, the major difference is the polyp size- B.wellsi has significantly larger polyps