Coral idea for barnacle rock

[Calm Blue Ocean]

I got this barnacle rock almost a year ago for my Midas blenny. She finally found it today.

I'd like to put a coral on it for a little color but I don't want to interfere with the openings now that it's finally turned into a blenny house. A while ago I tried Clavularia on it but it went wild and you couldn't even tell what was under it so it had to go. I'm thinking maybe a Cyphastrea since it's down on the sand but it is also directly under the light so maybe not? Maybe an encruster isn't the right approach and some sort of LPS that will grow upward and not obscure the rock at all. I have a brirdsnest I've been wanting to move from my nano, but that probably needs to be higher in the tank.

Interested in any suggestions in the easier to keep category. Anyone have an example of a well decorated barnacle?

 

[blaxsun]

When my strawberry crab molts every few months he always decorates the barnacle with various corals he scavenges. My Midas Blenny also loves his barnacle, so I’ve just left it as is because he seems fairly content.

 

[hawk82]

Is that a Midas? My lives in a barnacle also lol

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

Is that a Midas? My lives in a barnacle also lol

Yup, Midas. Up until now she has lived in a little opening in the rock facing the back of the tank where I could barely see her. So nice that she finally wants to be part of tank society! Took long enough!

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

When my strawberry crab molts every few months he always decorates the barnacle with various corals he scavenges. My Midas Blenny also loves his barnacle, so I’ve just left it as is because he seems fairly content.

After watching her today I probably want to be even more thoughtful about anything I put there than I originally thought. She is now also using one of the lower openings and spent the day clearing sand from her two new apartments (and spitting it all over the monti caps). I definitely don't want to do anything that would interfere in her enjoyment of this new home. I think if I put something on the barnacle it needs to be a coral with mostly vertical growth to ensure the openings remain accessible. Nice to see this fish suddenly so active!

 

[blaxsun]

After watching her today I probably want to be even more thoughtful about anything I put there than I originally thought. She is now also using one of the lower openings and spent the day clearing sand from her two new apartments (and spitting it all over the monti caps). I definitely don't want to do anything that would interfere in her enjoyment of this new home. I think if I put something on the barnacle it needs to be a coral with mostly vertical growth to ensure the openings remain accessible. Nice to see this fish suddenly so active!

Blennies love barnacles!