Merulina

Merulina are interesting plating to encrusting LPS corals that add unique texture and form to a reef tank. Their thin, ruffled plates with fine ridged detail create an architectural quality that stands out among rounder, fleshier LPS genera. Place them in the mid-section of your tank under moderate PAR (75–150 PAR) with moderate flow. Avoid placing them directly under intense lighting, as they prefer slightly subdued conditions.

Maintain stable reef parameters: alkalinity 7.5–9.0 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, and temperature 25–26 °C. Merulina are primarily photosynthetic and not demanding feeders, though they benefit from occasional broadcast feeding with fine particulate coral foods. Growth is moderate, with new plating edges extending outward over time. The thin plates can be fragile, so handle with care during maintenance.

Merulina are generally peaceful corals with minimal aggression toward neighbours, making them well-suited to mixed reef tanks. Fragging is possible by carefully breaking or cutting plates, though the thin skeleton requires a gentle approach. These corals are found throughout the Indo-Pacific, including on the Great Barrier Reef, and are occasionally available from Australian coral retailers. They are underrated in the hobby and deserve more attention for the interesting visual contrast they provide.