{"product_id":"starry-night-merletti","title":"Starry Night Merletti","description":"\u003ch1 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eStarry Night Merletti (\u003cem\u003eBlastomussa merleti\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eStarry Night Merletti\u003c\/strong\u003e is an attractive LPS coral known for its compact, fleshy polyps and striking contrast under reef lighting. Individual polyps develop on slender branching skeletons, creating a clustered appearance as the colony matures. The Starry Night variety is especially appealing for its darker base coloration contrasted by brighter centers and highlights, producing a speckled, almost star-like appearance when viewed under blue-spectrum lighting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompared with the larger polyps of \u003cem\u003eBlastomussa wellsi\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eBlastomussa merleti\u003c\/em\u003e produces noticeably smaller corallites and can develop into dense clusters as new polyps form around established growth. Its manageable size, relatively peaceful nature, and ability to thrive without intense lighting make it an excellent choice for both mixed reefs and dedicated LPS displays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eBlastomussa merleti\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Starry Night Merletti, Merletti Blasto\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to Moderate — approximately \u003cstrong\u003e50–120 PAR\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to Moderate — gentle, indirect flow that keeps the polyps moving slightly without causing them to remain contracted\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lower to Middle aquarium\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Form:\u003c\/strong\u003e Branching LPS with clusters of individual fleshy polyps\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Primarily photosynthetic; benefits from occasional supplemental feeding\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement \u0026amp; Flow\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlace the Starry Night Merletti on \u003cstrong\u003elower to middle rockwork\u003c\/strong\u003e where it receives gentle, indirect circulation. Its fleshy polyps should remain comfortably expanded rather than being pushed tightly against their skeleton by strong current.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough Blastomussa is generally less aggressive than many other LPS corals, provide adequate room between it and neighboring corals. This also gives the colony space to develop new polyps around its branching skeleton without being shaded or stung by more aggressive species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLighting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Starry Night Merletti performs well under \u003cstrong\u003elow to moderate lighting of approximately 50–120 PAR\u003c\/strong\u003e. High-intensity lighting is generally unnecessary, and specimens accustomed to lower light should be acclimated gradually before being exposed to stronger illumination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder blue-spectrum reef lighting, the contrasting pigments and fluorescent highlights of the Starry Night coloration can become particularly noticeable. A balanced reef spectrum will provide a more natural representation of its overall coloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarry Night Merletti is \u003cstrong\u003eprimarily photosynthetic\u003c\/strong\u003e, receiving much of its nutritional requirements from symbiotic dinoflagellates within its tissue. Supplemental feeding is not essential when maintained under appropriate lighting and stable water conditions, but occasional target feeding can support healthy tissue and colony growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffer small portions of \u003cstrong\u003emysis shrimp, finely chopped marine foods, enriched brine shrimp, or appropriately sized LPS coral foods\u003c\/strong\u003e when the feeding tentacles are extended. Because \u003cem\u003eB. merleti\u003c\/em\u003e has relatively small polyps, appropriately sized foods are preferable to large pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWith its compact polyp structure, contrasting Starry Night coloration, and approachable care requirements, the Starry Night Merletti is an excellent choice for adding detailed color and texture to an LPS or mixed reef. As the colony develops, its clusters of smaller fleshy polyps create an increasingly impressive display without requiring the space of many larger LPS corals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Island Reef Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48665245909186,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0771\/3354\/5666\/files\/StarryNightMerletti.png?v=1787557143","url":"https:\/\/islandreefaquatics.com\/products\/starry-night-merletti","provider":"Island Reef Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}