Cranberry Blastomussa Coral

Cranberry Blastomussa Coral

Overview

Cranberry Blastomussa Coral shows deep red, fleshy polyps with pronounced, ringed mouths. Blastomussa wellsi is a large-polyp stony coral forming clustered heads; it prefers low to moderate light and gentle to moderate water flow. It hosts symbiotic algae for energy but accepts small meaty foods, which can support growth and color. Place on stable rock with space around it, as its tentacles can sting nearby corals at night.

Quick Facts

Care Moderate
Lighting Low–Moderate
Flow Low–Moderate
Placement Low–Mid
Temperament Semi-aggressive (3–4 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 1280–1350 ppm
Feeding photosynthetic, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, chopped krill, copepods, rotifers, zooplankton, microplankton, coral-specific powdered foods (e.g., Reef-Roids), marine snow

Care & Placement

Cranberry Blastomussa Coral (Blastomussa wellsi) thrives with stable, gentle conditions. Provide low to moderate light (PAR 50–100); start shaded and increase slowly to avoid bleaching. Use low to moderate, indirect flow—polyps should sway, not fold or retract; this prevents detritus buildup without tearing tissue. Target feed 1–2 times weekly with small meaty foods (mysis, enriched brine, reef roids), turning off pumps briefly to improve capture. Keep temperature 76–79°F, salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1250–1350 ppm, nitrate 5–15 ppm, and phosphate 0.03–0.10 ppm. Test weekly and correct slowly; this species is sensitive to rapid swings, especially in alkalinity and salinity.Place low to mid in the tank, on the sandbed or a smooth rock ledge with no sharp edges under the tissue. Give 2–3 inches of space from neighbors; sweepers are short but can sting soft corals and other LPS. Generally peaceful, it pairs well with other moderate LPS if spacing and flow are managed. Drip acclimate 30–45 minutes and use a coral dip to remove pests. Light acclimate over 1–2 weeks with screens or reduced intensity. Signs of trouble include paling (too much light), tissue recession (excess flow or instability), and brown jelly after injury or detritus accumulation; gently baste debris, improve flow direction, and maintain stable nutrients. Use a PAR meter if possible and keep hands off the flesh when moving.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Cranberry Blastomussa Coral

  • Why did my Cranberry Blastomussa Coral fade from deep cranberry to pinkish tones under new lights?
    Blastomussa wellsi prefers moderate PAR (80–120) with strong blue spectrum (420–460 nm). Too much white or high PAR washes reds; too little light mutes contrast. Maintain stable nutrients (nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.10 ppm). Avoid aggressive carbon dosing that strips nutrients. If faded, reduce intensity 20–30%, extend blues, and adjust slowly over 2–3 weeks to prevent further stress.
  • My colony won’t fully inflate despite “good” parameters—what subtle issues should I check?
    Consistent alkalinity (8–9 dKH) matters; minor daily swings deflate tissue. Ensure gentle, random flow both day and night so polyps don’t collapse under detritus. Inspect for vermetid snail threads irritating flesh and for bacterial film on the base; turkey baste twice weekly. If tissue recedes, do an iodine dip and relocate to slightly shadier, sheltered flow until recovery.
  • How close can I place it to acans or favias without a chemical or physical fight?
    It has short sweepers but can deploy mesenterial filaments when irritated. Give 2–3 inches of space and avoid flow patterns that push neighbors into contact at night when expansion peaks. Run fresh activated carbon and maintain good export if you notice allelopathic stress (retracted polyps, dulling). When in doubt, place Blastomussa slightly down-current from more aggressive LPS.
  • Growth is slow—how can I encourage more heads without stressing the coral?
    Target feed small, meaty foods (mysis slurries, reef roids mixed thin) 1–2 times weekly after lights out when mouths gape; avoid overfeeding. Maintain moderate PAR, steady alk and calcium, and non-zero nutrients. Slightly elevated phosphate (around 0.05–0.08 ppm) supports coloration and tissue. Keep temperature stable (24–26°C). Stability fosters budding along the shared base over months rather than weeks.