Australian Big Polyp Blastomussa care

[SeymourDuncan]

As far as Placement...IS a Blasto Wellso the same as a Duncan???? My duncan is on the very bottom of the tank under the shade of my frag rack and loving life. I am curious if the blasto would like the same type of environment...more or less lighting??? The fixture is a 4x65w pc on a standard 55g.

Right now The Blasto is under the even darker shade of the Overflow box. It looks normal, no signs of stress...And it ate a ton. It is a single head on a stick..looks like a G.I.Joe could sit on it. bout 1 1/4 inch diameter.

The Red one.

Any advice on this awesome guy?

 

[james30ct]

Hope this helps its From liveaquaria

The Australian Big Polyp Blastomussa Coral is also referred to as a Branched Cup, Pipe, or Pineapple coral. It is a large polyp stony (LPS) coral that will form round, swollen discs when it grows. Due to its resemblance to mushroom anemones, Blastomussa corals are often confused with other brain and mushroom corals.
This Australian beauty has extraordinarily large polyps, and grows in fused, tubular clusters in a similar manner to its close relative Blastomussa merletti. The brood stock for these corals were harvested in Australia, quarantined and given a health inspection before being propagated.
Once established, the Australian Big Polyp Blastomussa Coral is moderately hardy, especially in an established reef aquarium. It does best in areas with low water flow and moderate light levels. It has no sweeper tentacles and is generally peaceful. Therefore, it may be placed near other peaceful corals or invertebrates. Most of the Blastomussa's nutritional requirements are met through photosynthesis via the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae that thrive in the coral's body. It does not require additional food to maintain its health in the reef aquarium; however, it will feed on micro-plankton or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates.
The Australian Big Polyp Blastomussa, Purple has a unique purple coloration that surrounds each polyp's vibrant green center. The Australian Big Polyp Blastomussa, Red has a unique red coloration that surrounds each polyp's vibrant green center. Both of these corals will create a visual appeal in any home aquarium. This coral also benefits from the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water column.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Thanks, I have read that already...I was just looking for any personal experience. So far He has gotten about a half inch bigger than he looked at the LFS and I have it in the dark cave still. I feed it mysis and it apparently loves it. I have been researching a ton on how peoples grow and its very vague of course like most corals anyways. Some say theirs grows a ton and they dont feed, others say the opposite...only time will tell I have great success with my duncan and head growth, so hopefully it passes onto the Blasto..which looks amazing

 

[SeymourDuncan]

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Not so open, too early. But that's about what it looked like mid day at the lfs. I will upload what it looks like now tomorrow. It's tentacles extend almost a half inch!

 

[nicewrasse]

I've found that lower - moderate light really makes them swell up. I'm keeping mine under LEDS, and they are just on the fringe of the lighting. Lower flow, and I've never directly fed them. The only drawback is how slow they grow, but they seem to color up really well.

Good luck, they are gorgeous!

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Yeah so far it's doing great in the shade of the over flow. Mine has accepted frozen foods, but not much bigger than half a mysis. It seems to grow in diameter after each digestion. I guess this wil be my ultimate test of patience with only one polyp to start out

 

[mainereefer]

is it on a branch?

looks like Blastomussa merletti to me. all my Blastomussa wellsoni encrust

 

[SeymourDuncan]

I was misinformed on the species than because it is a branch. Does that mean it will grow faster?