ECC Hawaiian Sunset Blastomussa Merletti

Quick Stats

• Care Level: Moderate
• Coral Type: LPS (Large Polyp Stony)
• Lighting Requirement: Low (75-150 PAR)
• Flow: Low
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Placement: Rockwork
• Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4"

Overview

ECC Hawaiian Sunset Blastomussa merletti, often called a "Blasto" for short, forms button-like polyps with vivid green rims and mouths over red to magenta tissue, often with warm orange highlights. Start it in a lower-light area with gentle, indirect flow so the polyps can fully expand. Mount on stable rock or sand with a bit of space from any aggressive neighbors. Keep alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium steady with nutrients above zero; occasional feedings can help support long-term growth.

Note: This is not a WYSIWYG listing. Photo is a representation of the shape, size, and color of the coral you will receive.

Blastomussa Care Guide

Water Parameters

Corals thrive in stable water conditions with regular water changes. Corals with a hard skeleton, like this one, will consume calcium and alkalinity as they grow, often requiring additional supplementation. Routine water testing helps ensure these needs are consistently met.

• Specific Gravity (Salinity): 1.025-1.026
• Temperature: 75-78 Degrees F
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• Alkalinity: 8-9.5 dKH
• Calcium: 400-450ppm
• Magnesium: 1300-1450ppm
• Nitrate (NO3): 1-25ppm
• Phosphate: 0.01-0.1ppm
• Nitrite (NO2): Undetectable
• Ammonia (NH3): Undetectable

Lighting Requirements

Blastomussa generally prefer lower-light areas of the aquarium, ideally in the 75-150 PAR range. Avoid placing it directly under intense lighting without acclimation, as the polyps can become stressed or retract. Gradual light acclimation helps maintain its vibrant coloration and healthy polyp extension.

For those with mixed reef tanks, a PAR meter is invaluable for fine-tuning light levels across different corals, helping ensure each coral gets the right intensity for its needs. This careful setup supports the coral’s vibrant color and long-term health.

Ideal Tank Placement

Blastomussa is most often placed on rockwork in a stable, low-traffic area of the tank. Avoid placing it near more aggressive LPS or corals with long sweeper tentacles unless proper spacing is provided.

Water Flow Requirements

Low to moderate flow is ideal. Enough flow should be provided to keep debris from settling between the fleshy polyps, but not so much that it causes excessive movement or tissue recession.

Aggressiveness and Compatibility

While blastomussa corals aren't particularly aggressive, they will inevitably fight any corals they come into direct contact with.

Feeding and Nutrition

This coral primarily relies on photosynthesis for energy, but can benefit from occasional feedings with coral foods such as Reef Chili and amino acids like CoralAmino to enhance its growth and coloration.

Growth Rate and Pattern

Blastomussa are steady growers and have a mounding, encrusting growth pattern. It will slowly expand over rockwork as it builds out its skeleton and adds new polyps over time.

Acclimation Process

Acclimation is essential for corals to adjust to their new environment. For a full step-by-step process, refer to our Coral Acclimation Guide.