Blasto Wellsi care guide
Blasto Wellsi (Blastomussa wellsi) — reef coral, 24-26 °C, PAR 50-125, salinity 1.024-1.026.
Overview
Blastomussa wellsi is the larger-polyp Blastomussa, with fleshy pineapple-like polyps that completely cover the corallites when fully inflated. It is hardy and tolerant of low light, making it useful for shaded zones in a mixed reef.
Taxonomy
- Family: Plesiastreidae
- Genus: Blastomussa
- Scientific name: Blastomussa wellsi
- Common synonyms: Wellsi Blasto, Pineapple Blasto
Habitat
Native to the Indo-Pacific. Wild colonies are typical of shaded overhangs and turbid back-reef habitats where ambient light is reduced.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- Salinity (SG): 1.024-1.026
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Alkalinity (dKH): 8-11
- Calcium: 400-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Phosphate (max): 0.05 ppm
- Nitrate (max): 10 ppm
Placement and lighting
- Lighting (PAR): 50-125 PAR
- Flow: low
- Recommended tank age: 3 months
- Growth rate: 0.2-0.4 cm/mo
Place in the lower half of the aquarium under low to moderate light. Gentle flow allows the polyps to inflate fully; strong directional flow keeps them retracted and slows growth.
Feeding
Photosynthetic and benefits from occasional spot-feeding with mysis or reef-roids. Feed once weekly; the large mouths accept relatively large particles.
Compatibility
Passive and non-stinging. Compatible with most other corals in a mixed reef and reef-safe with shrimp and fish.
Care notes
Hardy and reliable for shaded placements in maturing reefs. Avoid letting detritus collect on the colony; periodic gentle water movement around the head improves health.