Red and Green Blasto

Our Aquacultured Red Blastomussa Merletti Coral, native to Australia, is commonly referred to as the Australian Pineapple Coral or the Blasto coral. This coral is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced aquarists, often becoming the centerpiece of a reef aquarium. The thick tissue of the Blastomussa Merletti gives it a general appearance similar to many types of brain coral, such as Caulastrea, at first glance. These corals are typically more challenging to find and come in solid colors as well as stunning color combinations including reds, yellows, blues, purples, greens, and even pinks. They are found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, from the islands of Fiji, Tonga, and the Solomon Islands, all the way to Australia's Great Barrier Reef, making them perfectly suited for home reef aquariums. Although they are somewhat slow growers, they are relatively easy to care for and propagate through fragmentation. Even if you forget to feed them, they can thrive by absorbing nutrients from the water column. Lastly, the Blastomussa Merletti is one of only two species in the Blastomussa genus, the other being Blastomussa Wellsi. The Blastomussa Merletti is distinct from its relative Blastomussa Wellsi due to its thick, fleshy, swollen polyps that are extremely large compared to the smaller polyps of the Blastomussa Wellsi.