Merulina ampliata (Ridge Coral) Care Guide
Merulina ampliata is a widespread Indo-Pacific stony coral forming laminar plates with fan-like ridges; IUCN status Least Concern.
Overview
Merulina ampliata is a colonial stony coral and the type species of the genus Merulina. Colonies are laminar or subarborescent, often combining both growth-forms in a single large colony, and may form encrusting plates up to about 1 m across with short, gnarled vertical branches in shallow water. The plates bear short, straight valleys that radiate fan-like from the colony center and become twisted on branching sections.
Taxonomy
- Family: Merulinidae
- Genus: Merulina (Ehrenberg, 1834)
- Scientific name: Merulina ampliata
- Authority: (Ellis & Solander, 1786)
Habitat
The species ranges across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea through the Indian Ocean to southern Japan and Australia and east to central Pacific islands. It is reef-associated over a depth range of about 0-40 m and inhabits a wide variety of reef environments, especially lagoons. Coloration is typically pale blue (which may photograph pink) or pale brown.
Aquarium care
- Temperature: 24-26 degrees C (75-79 degrees F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 SG
- Alkalinity (KH): 8-11 dKH
- Calcium: 400-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Difficulty: intermediate
- Minimum tank maturity: about 3 months
Lighting and flow
In the reef aquarium Merulina ampliata is kept under medium light (roughly 75-175 PAR) with medium water flow. Its tentacles typically extend only at night, when supplemental feeding can be offered.
Feeding
The coral relies primarily on its symbiotic zooxanthellae and is photosynthetic in the aquarium. It can be supplemented with amino acids and fine planktonic foods, particularly after dark when the polyps are expanded.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is usually common throughout its range, though rare in the Red Sea, and is listed under CITES Appendix II.