Merulina ampliata

(Ellis & Solander, 1786)

Ruffle Ridge Coral, Lettuce Coral, Ridge Coral

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea, Eastern Africa, and Western Pacific.

Natural Environment: Inhabits a wide range of reef environments and usually seen at depths between 3 to 130 feet (1 - 40 m).

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade and highly aggressive!

Placement should not be within 6 - 8 inches (15 - 20 cm) of another coral. After the lights go out it extends long sweepers that can kill or severely sting any animal it touches/close by/downstream.

Also, since specimens available in the trade are almost always cultured, some forethought needs to be given to as to their initial lighting requirements. If not sure of the PAR it was grown under, begin by placing the specimen where it will receive moderate light, e.g., 300 PAR. Move to higher PAR levels only after becoming fully acclimated to initial surrounding conditions

Capable of producing its nutritional needs via photosynthesis.

Furthermore, polyps are rarely seen during daytime, and feeding may have to be during evening hours. If feasible, will benefit from once or twice a week feedings of various plankton-like foods, such as Oyster eggs, cyclops, baby brine shrimp, Spirulina, enriched adult brine and mysis shrimp. Nevertheless, difficult to hand feed, therefore good lighting is very important to its continued good health.

Maricultured specimens available.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Merulinidae

Genus: Merulina

FYI: In the wild, has extensive growths of irregular shaped somewhat flattened branches and generally cream or green. A very slow grower.

Experience Level: Expert

Diet: Photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Aggressive

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Difficult

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 74 - 83°F (23 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Lighting: PAR 450 - 550+

Water Movement: WM 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.