Why is my Blastomussa merleti keeping its polyps closed?

Polyp retraction is typically a sign of stress. The most common causes are excessive water flow battering the tissue, lighting that is far too intense, fluctuating alkalinity, or an aggressive tankmate (like a dwarf angelfish) nipping at it.

Do I need to feed my Blastomussa merleti?

While it can survive purely on the light it receives via photosynthesis, it is highly recommended to target-feed it. Offering small meaty foods like mysis shrimp or coral pellets 1-2 times a week will dramatically increase its growth rate and vibrancy.

Where is the best place to put Blastomussa in the tank?

They prefer the lower sections of the rockwork or the sandbed. You should aim for low to moderate lighting and gentle, indirect flow to allow their fleshy polyps to fully expand.

What is the difference between Blastomussa merleti and Blastomussa wellsi?

B. merleti has much smaller polyps (usually 1-2 cm across) and grows on distinct, branching skeletal tubes. B. wellsi features significantly larger, chunkier polyps and forms on a much denser, more solid skeletal base.

Can different Blastomussa colour morphs touch each other?

Yes, generally different colour morphs of Blastomussa can be placed adjacent to one another without triggering stinging or chemical warfare, allowing you to create beautiful, multicoloured 'Blasto gardens'.

MarineCoralsBeginner

Blastomussa Merleti

Blastomussa merleti

Blastomussa merleti is a vibrant and exceptionally hardy Large Polyp Stony (LPS) coral, renowned for its distinct branching skeleton and brightly coloured, fleshy polyps.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 26 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Salinity: 1.023 – 1.026 SG
Adult size: 10 – 25 cm
Nano reef or larger: 40 litres+
Diet: Photosynthetic and Carnivorous
Water flow: Low to moderate
Preferred setup: Established reef with stable water chemistry; requires stable rockwork or sandbed placement.

About the Blastomussa Merleti

Commonly referred to as the Pineapple Coral or simply 'Blasto', Blastomussa merleti is a staple in the marine aquarium hobby. It features notably smaller polyps (around 1-2 cm) compared to its popular cousin, Blastomussa wellsi, and grows from a branching, tubular skeleton known as a phaceloid structure. Available in a spectacular array of colours—most frequently exhibiting deep red mantles with contrasting neon green oral discs—it adds a brilliant splash of life to the lower-light areas of a reef aquarium. Its hardiness and striking appearance make it highly sought after by both novices and seasoned coral collectors alike.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where Blastomussa Merleti comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Great Barrier Reef

Countries / regions

Australia, Egypt, New Caledonia, Indonesia

Habitat

Lower reef slopes, deep reef overhangs, and turbid lagoons where light is subdued.

Widespread across the Indo-West Pacific, often found in sheltered, lower-light reef environments.

Similar species

Blastomussa Wellsi
Blastomussa wellsi
Acan Lord (Micromussa)
Micromussa lordhowensis
Duncan Coral
Duncanopsammia axifuga
Candy Cane Coral
Caulastraea furcata

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Firefish
Nemateleotris magnifica
A peaceful, reef-safe fish that will not nip at fleshy corals and leaves a minimal bioload.
Great
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
An excellent scavenger that will not harm the coral, though care should be taken that they do not steal targeted food from the polyps.
Great
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
Like many dwarf angelfish, there is a distinct risk it may develop a taste for the fleshy polyps of LPS corals.
Compatible with caution
Galaxy Coral
Galaxea fascicularis
Highly aggressive coral with incredibly long sweeper tentacles that will easily sting and kill the peaceful Blastomussa.
Not recommended
Threadfin Butterflyfish
Chaetodon auriga
Not reef-safe; butterflyfish are notorious for eating the soft, fleshy tissue of LPS corals.
Not recommended

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