Merulina/Ridge Coral Experience?

[Shallowwaters]

Has anybody learned anything about caring for the Merulina genus? I have a beautiful green Merulina amplianta that has stayed in nice condition since I bought it at MACNA, but it has shown barely any discernable growth. It kinda grows like so slow, I'm not sure it grew, but I think it did.

They are known to be slow growers and sometimes difficult to keep.

Any tips or tricks out there for feeding, lighting, etc.?

Thanks!

 

[smcnally]

I just got one at the auction, but it hasn't even green'd up yet. More of a fleshy color. It looks healthy, just not very colorful. I was hoping to learn more about it too.

 

[reefnroll]

They are very slow, and send out long sweepers at night to sting neighbors.
I've had mine for 4 years, and it has probably tripled in size... but that's
very slow growth considering the timeframe.

I think Merulina will adjust to almost any light intensity, but I don't believe
they enjoy the most intense halide lighting. Mine is in
extremely low light, with lower flow... and maintains its brilliant green coloration.

Hope that helps.

b

 

[smcnally]

Thanks Bec, it does help. Now I know to keep it real low and away from other corals.

 

[Shallowwaters]

Thanks Bec. That's interesting. Mine is near the top of my reef under 250 MH's and puts out short feeder tentacles on occasion. Maybe it would enjoy being lower and further from the lights...

 

[reefnroll]

shallowwaters -

Maybe... but if it's doing well (growing some and in good coloration), where it is I wouldn't bother moving it.
As I said, they can adjust to very many lighting
conditions. Just be careful about the sweepers. As the coral gets larger, they
seem to get longer. My colony is about 5"x7", and the sweepers are probably
about 3-4"" long... but I only see them in the middle of the night when the lights have been off for hours.

Good luck to both of you guys with this coral.

b

 

[Greg Hiller]

Mine (Merulina, fairly certain of genus at least) was also VERY slow initially (collected the frag myself), but has since picked up in growth a bit. I think it took an extra long time to adapt to aquarium conditions.

 

[reefnroll]

Hey Greg -

Mine was also definitely wild, but I didn't collect it myself ... got it from
an LFS in NJ.
I've seen the same thing. Extremely slow at first, and probably
most of the growth I've described has happened in the last 18 months.

I actually need to frag mine now because the gnarly growth has
created some spots toward the center of the coral where water flow
is hindered. I'm seeing some die-back of the inner-most flesh. My
space limitations prevent moving it to a different location, so I've got
to open it up a bit with the power tools.

b

 

[denvig]

Bec
The frag I got from you has started to encrust on the rock, but other than that the growth is extremely slow. I have it places fairly high under 250w DE with medium flow. The color has stayed constant.

 

[Brian]

I've had a piece I got from the last meeting we had at Skipton's (2 years, 3 maybe???) and while it has held it's color I swear it's not grown at all. Looks perfectly happy and healthy but just won't do anything... talk about slow growth A'?

 

[reefnroll]

Hey Dennis -

If yours has encrusted 'already' your cooking with gas! Funny thing... After I fragged it that day (4 months ago maybe?), the edges where I made the cuts really grew quite a bit. It was more growth than I've noticed in years. I'm glad yours is hanging in.

Brian - Yeah... sssllllloooooowww. Considering the fact that its such a lethal
weapon at night, I consider the slow growth a blessing with this coral.
Ahhh the power of rationalization.

b