My Firey Blastomussa Coral inflates during the day but deflates at night—is that normal for Blastomussa wellsi?

Yes. B. wellsi often cycles through inflation and deflation tied to light and feeding rhythms. Night deflation can expose mouths for feeding. If it stays deflated for days, check for excessive flow, sudden PAR increases, or alkalinity swings. Stabilize parameters, reduce direct blast, and try small meaty foods at lights-out to encourage recovery.

Color on my Firey morph is fading despite “perfect” numbers—what tweaks does B. wellsi prefer?

This species often prefers slightly nutrient-richer water than ultra-low systems. Aim for modest nitrate (5–15 ppm) and phosphate (0.03–0.1 ppm). Provide moderate PAR (60–120) with strong blue spectrum. Avoid rapid spectrum changes; ramp shifts over weeks. If still pale, increase targeted feeding 2–3x weekly and reduce mechanical filtration intensity.

My Blastomussa won’t accept food—any tricks specific to this species?

Trigger feeding response with a small amino or finely minced food “tease” 5–10 minutes before offering larger particles (mysis, chopped clam). Target at dusk when tentacles are most receptive. Reduce flow briefly to keep food on mouths. If still resistant, check for vermetid snails or persistent nipping from wrasses/shrimps that deter polyp extension.

Can Blastomussa wellsi sit near aggressive LPS, and does it have sweepers?

B. wellsi has short tentacles and is generally peaceful. It lacks long sweepers, so it’s more likely to be stung than to sting. Give 5–8 cm clearance from acans, favids, and euphylliids. Watch for slow tissue nicks along the rim—often from neighboring stingers or vermetid webs—and adjust spacing or remove irritants promptly.

Firey Blastomussa Coral

Blastomussa

Overview

The Firey Blastomussa Coral shows large, fleshy, circular polyps with contrasting mouths. Blastomussa wellsi is an LPS stony coral that forms dome-shaped colonies; it prefers low to moderate light and gentle to moderate water flow. It relies on symbiotic algae but also accepts small meaty foods, which can boost growth and polyp expansion. Place on stable rock with space from neighbors to avoid irritation, and acclimate slowly to changes in lighting.

Quick Facts

Care Moderate

Lighting Low–Moderate

Flow Low–Moderate

Placement Low–Mid

Temperament Semi-aggressive (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, finely chopped marine meats (shrimp, clam), zooplankton, microplankton, coral-specific powdered foods, small LPS pellets

Care & Placement

Firey Blastomussa Coral (Blastomussa wellsi) thrives with low to moderate light (50–120 PAR) and gentle, indirect flow that keeps flesh moving slightly without whipping the polyps. Start it in shaded, low-to-mid locations and increase light slowly if colors dull; sudden bright light can cause bleaching. Feed 2–3 times weekly with small meaty foods (mysis, enriched brine, reef roids) when feeding tentacles extend after lights out; target feed lightly to support growth and fuller polyp inflation. Maintain stable water: temperature 24–26°C (75–79°F), pH 8.1–8.4, salinity 1.025–1.026, calcium 400–450 ppm, alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH, magnesium 1250–1350 ppm, nitrate 2–15 ppm, phosphate 0.02–0.08 ppm. Test weekly with reliable kits, use a refractometer for salinity, and avoid rapid alkalinity changes, which this coral dislikes.Place colonies on rock or sand in low-to-mid areas with moderate shade and 5–8 cm (2–3 in) clearance. Blastomussa has short sweepers and is generally peaceful, but keep it away from aggressive LPS (e.g., euphyllia, favia) and stinging softies. Provide gentle flow to reduce detritus buildup around the fleshy heads; too much flow can cause tissue recession. Acclimate via drip (30–45 minutes) and reduce light intensity or use a screen for a week. Dip new frags to exclude pests. Common issues: bleaching from excessive light, recession from strong flow or low nutrients, and brown jelly after damage—frag away affected heads and improve water quality if seen. Keep parameters steady and feed consistently for best color and growth.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Firey Blastomussa Coral

My Firey Blastomussa Coral inflates during the day but deflates at night—is that normal for Blastomussa wellsi?

Yes. B. wellsi often cycles through inflation and deflation tied to light and feeding rhythms. Night deflation can expose mouths for feeding. If it stays deflated for days, check for excessive flow, sudden PAR increases, or alkalinity swings. Stabilize parameters, reduce direct blast, and try small meaty foods at lights-out to encourage recovery.
Color on my Firey morph is fading despite “perfect” numbers—what tweaks does B. wellsi prefer?

This species often prefers slightly nutrient-richer water than ultra-low systems. Aim for modest nitrate (5–15 ppm) and phosphate (0.03–0.1 ppm). Provide moderate PAR (60–120) with strong blue spectrum. Avoid rapid spectrum changes; ramp shifts over weeks. If still pale, increase targeted feeding 2–3x weekly and reduce mechanical filtration intensity.
My Blastomussa won’t accept food—any tricks specific to this species?

Trigger feeding response with a small amino or finely minced food “tease” 5–10 minutes before offering larger particles (mysis, chopped clam). Target at dusk when tentacles are most receptive. Reduce flow briefly to keep food on mouths. If still resistant, check for vermetid snails or persistent nipping from wrasses/shrimps that deter polyp extension.
Can Blastomussa wellsi sit near aggressive LPS, and does it have sweepers?

B. wellsi has short tentacles and is generally peaceful. It lacks long sweepers, so it’s more likely to be stung than to sting. Give 5–8 cm clearance from acans, favids, and euphylliids. Watch for slow tissue nicks along the rim—often from neighboring stingers or vermetid webs—and adjust spacing or remove irritants promptly.

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