Blasto Coral Care Guide

Blasto Coral (Blastomussa spp.) is one of the most beginner-friendly LPS corals in the reef aquarium hobby. Blastomussa tolerates a wide range of water parameters and does not demand high-intensity lighting or strong water flow, making Blasto Coral forgiving for new reef keepers still learning to maintain stable tank chemistry. Blasto Coral thrives under standard aquarium lighting and low to moderate flow, and Blastomussa colonies rarely exhibit aggression toward neighboring corals.

Reef keepers should maintain stable water chemistry — temperature between 75–80°F, alkalinity of 8–9.5 dKH, and calcium of 420–440 ppm — and Blasto Coral will reward them with vibrant polyp extension and steady growth.

Blasto Coral thrives under low to moderate lighting in the 75–150 PAR range, and Blastomussa polyps will fully extend and display their brightest colors under these subdued conditions. Blasto Coral placed under excessive light intensity will bleach, retract its polyps, or develop an abnormal inflated appearance — each of these responses signals that the coral needs to be relocated to a shadier position.

Reef keepers adding a new Blasto Coral should place Blastomussa in the darkest area of the tank for the first two weeks, then gradually transition the coral to its permanent location with slightly more light. Blasto Coral does not require expensive high-output reef lighting and performs well under standard LED fixtures.

Blasto Coral performs best when placed on the sand bed or low rockwork in the lower third of the aquarium, where Blastomussa receives low to moderate indirect lighting and gentle water flow. Blasto Coral positioned higher in the tank typically shows less intense coloration and slower growth due to increased light and flow exposure.

Reef keepers should leave at least 1–2 inches of space between Blasto Coral and neighboring corals, because Blastomussa lacks potent sweeper tentacles and cannot defend itself against more aggressive species like Torch Coral or Hammer Coral. Mounting Blasto Coral with IC gel glue or putty on an exposed rock ledge provides a stable base for long-term colony growth.

Blasto Coral obtains most of its energy from symbiotic zooxanthellae algae through photosynthesis, but Blastomussa colonies benefit significantly from supplemental target feeding one to two times per week. Blasto Coral accepts meaty foods including mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, reef roids, and finely chopped marine pellets — target feeding ensures each polyp receives nutrition directly, since every Blastomussa polyp functions as an individual organism.

Reef keepers can maximize feeding response by offering food approximately one hour after lights go out, when Blasto Coral extends its feeding tentacles. Regular target feeding accelerates Blastomussa growth rates and enhances color intensity compared to colonies that rely solely on photosynthesis.

Blasto Coral is a peaceful species that ranks low on the LPS aggression scale, and Blastomussa will not sting or damage most neighboring corals through direct contact. Blasto Coral does possess sweeper tentacles, but Blastomussa sweeper tentacles are weak compared to aggressive LPS species like Torch Coral or Galaxea.

The greater concern is that more aggressive corals may sting and damage Blasto Coral — Blastomussa lacks the defensive capability to protect itself from potent sweeper tentacles of neighboring species. Reef keepers should maintain 1–2 inches of clearance around Blasto Coral colonies and avoid placing Blastomussa directly adjacent to known aggressive corals, anemones, or species with long sweeper tentacles.

Blasto Coral is a slow-growing LPS species, and Blastomussa colonies typically produce 2–4 new polyps per year under stable aquarium conditions. Blasto Coral growth rate increases with consistent target feeding of meaty foods like mysis shrimp one to two times per week, combined with stable water chemistry including alkalinity of 8–9.5 dKH and calcium of 420–440 ppm.

Blastomussa wellsi tends to grow by encrusting over rock surfaces, while Blastomussa merleti produces branching stalks that extend outward from the colony base. Reef keepers should not expect rapid colony expansion from Blasto Coral, but patient aquarists who maintain optimal conditions will see steady polyp addition over time.

Blastomussa wellsi and Blastomussa merleti differ primarily in polyp size and growth form. Blastomussa wellsi produces large, fleshy polyps measuring 1–5 inches in diameter that grow by encrusting over rock surfaces, while Blastomussa merleti has smaller polyps reaching approximately 1 inch across that grow on elongated branching stalks.

Blastomussa wellsi displays a wider range of color morphs and is generally the most sought-after species in the reef aquarium hobby. Blastomussa merleti tends to be easier to propagate because individual stalked polyps separate cleanly for fragging. Both Blastomussa species require identical care — low to moderate lighting of 75–150 PAR and gentle indirect water flow — and both species are considered beginner-friendly LPS corals.

Blasto Coral that remains retracted or refuses to open polyps is most commonly responding to excessive light or excessive water flow, the two leading causes of Blastomussa stress in reef aquariums. Blasto Coral placed in high-light areas above 150 PAR or in direct powerhead flow will retract polyps as a protective response, and prolonged exposure can lead to tissue recession.

Reef keepers should first verify that Blasto Coral is positioned in a low-light, low-flow area — ideally on the sand bed or low rockwork — and check water parameters including magnesium (1260–1350 ppm), calcium (420–440 ppm), and alkalinity (8–9.5 dKH). Blasto Coral may also retract temporarily after handling, fragging, or acclimation to a new tank, and Blastomussa typically requires one to two weeks to recover and resume normal polyp extension.