Why does my Cinnamon Blastomussa inflate and deflate throughout the day?

Blastomussa wellsi regulates tissue expansion with light and flow. Under moderate, diffuse light and gentle, indirect flow, polyps swell to maximize feeding and gas exchange. Sudden deflation can follow a flow burst, a fish brushing polyps, or pH/alk swings. If deflation persists, check for vermetid snail irritation, recent lighting changes, or salinity drift. Night expansion often increases for feeding.

My coral’s red tones are dulling—how can I regain color without bleaching it?

This species favors lower PAR (60–120) with a blue-leaning spectrum. If color is browning, slightly increase light or improve water clarity, but do so over weeks. Add small, frequent meaty feedings to support pigments. Keep NO3 5–15 ppm and PO4 0.03–0.1 ppm; ultra-low nutrients wash out color. Avoid blasting it with new LEDs—use diffuse light and acclimation.

A few heads are receding while others look fine—what targeted steps help?

Isolate the problem heads from direct flow and neighboring stingers. Inspect for vermetids or detritus collecting at the polyp base; siphon debris. Stabilize alkalinity (7.5–9 dKH) and temperature. Target-feed receding heads with finely minced mysis or reef roe at lights-off. If tissue is sloughing, perform a coral dip and trim away dead skeleton to prevent bacterial spread; improve overall stability.

Why has growth stalled despite good parameters?

Blastomussa often plateaus if energy intake is marginal or flow is too strong for polyp inflation. Increase small, frequent feedings (2–3x weekly) of soft, meaty foods. Ensure gentle, indirect flow and stable calcium/magnesium for skeletal deposition. Consider slightly raising nutrients from ultra-lean levels. Check for shadowing from rockwork or aggressive neighbors; reposition to a calmer, brighter-lateral, lower-PAR zone.

Cinnamon Blastomussa Coral

Blastomussa

Overview

Cinnamon Blastomussa Coral shows fleshy, circular polyps with contrasting ringed mouths. Blastomussa wellsi is a large-polyp stony coral that forms clustered heads; it prefers low to moderate light and gentle to moderate water flow. It is photosynthetic via symbiotic algae but benefits from occasional small meaty feedings, which can improve growth and coloration. Place on stable rock with space around the colony, as tentacles can sting nearby corals when extended at night.

Quick Facts

Care Moderate

Lighting Low–Moderate

Flow Low–Moderate

Placement Low–Mid

Temperament Peaceful (2–3 inches spacing)

Recommended Parameters

Temp 76–80°F

pH 8.1–8.4

Salinity 1.025–1.026

Calcium 400–450 ppm

AlkAlkalinity 8–9 dKH

Magnesium 1250–1350 ppm

Feeding photosynthetic, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, rotifers, finely chopped seafood, zooplankton, microplankton, coral-specific powdered foods, marine snow

Care & Placement

Cinnamon Blastomussa Coral (Blastomussa wellsi) thrives with stable, moderate conditions and gentle handling. Provide low–moderate light (PAR ~60–120); start on the sandbed or lower rockwork and slowly increase exposure over 2–3 weeks to avoid bleaching. Use gentle, indirect flow that keeps the fleshy polyps moving slightly without whipping; this helps prevent detritus buildup and tissue damage. Target feed small meaty foods (mysis, finely chopped seafood, reef roids) 1–2 times weekly when tentacles are extended, ideally with pumps paused. Maintain: temperature 24–26°C (75–79°F), salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH (keep stable), calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1250–1350 ppm, nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.10 ppm. Monitor with reliable test kits and avoid rapid swings, especially in alkalinity and light.Place frags or colonies with 3–4 inches of space from neighbors; B. wellsi is generally peaceful with short sweepers but can be injured by more aggressive LPS. Avoid abrasive rock edges and strong direct flow. Acclimate by dripping 30–45 minutes, dip for pests, and light-acclimate with shading. Common issues: bleaching (too much light too fast—reduce intensity, increase depth, feed), recession (instability, too much/too little flow, detritus—stabilize alk, adjust flow, gently baste debris), brown jelly (isolate, siphon, iodine-based dip, improve oxygenation). For best growth and color, keep nutrients non-zero, maintain regular feeding, and prioritize stability over frequent parameter chasing.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Cinnamon Blastomussa Coral

Why does my Cinnamon Blastomussa inflate and deflate throughout the day?

Blastomussa wellsi regulates tissue expansion with light and flow. Under moderate, diffuse light and gentle, indirect flow, polyps swell to maximize feeding and gas exchange. Sudden deflation can follow a flow burst, a fish brushing polyps, or pH/alk swings. If deflation persists, check for vermetid snail irritation, recent lighting changes, or salinity drift. Night expansion often increases for feeding.
My coral’s red tones are dulling—how can I regain color without bleaching it?

This species favors lower PAR (60–120) with a blue-leaning spectrum. If color is browning, slightly increase light or improve water clarity, but do so over weeks. Add small, frequent meaty feedings to support pigments. Keep NO3 5–15 ppm and PO4 0.03–0.1 ppm; ultra-low nutrients wash out color. Avoid blasting it with new LEDs—use diffuse light and acclimation.
A few heads are receding while others look fine—what targeted steps help?

Isolate the problem heads from direct flow and neighboring stingers. Inspect for vermetids or detritus collecting at the polyp base; siphon debris. Stabilize alkalinity (7.5–9 dKH) and temperature. Target-feed receding heads with finely minced mysis or reef roe at lights-off. If tissue is sloughing, perform a coral dip and trim away dead skeleton to prevent bacterial spread; improve overall stability.
Why has growth stalled despite good parameters?

Blastomussa often plateaus if energy intake is marginal or flow is too strong for polyp inflation. Increase small, frequent feedings (2–3x weekly) of soft, meaty foods. Ensure gentle, indirect flow and stable calcium/magnesium for skeletal deposition. Consider slightly raising nutrients from ultra-lean levels. Check for shadowing from rockwork or aggressive neighbors; reposition to a calmer, brighter-lateral, lower-PAR zone.

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