merulina

ecobalance · Oct 14, 2007

times two,these sps really have a cool color to them,and their sweepers are like little perelesent worms

Rod Buehler · Oct 14, 2007

Merulina is a cool coral. Nice pic. I dont think that it can be classified as an "SPS" though .

ecobalance · Oct 15, 2007

Merulina

Noted,we'll just go with stoney coral then.

Scooterman · Oct 15, 2007

I think it is classified as sps.

The Merulina Coral is a small polyp stony (SPS) coral also known as Lettuce, Cabbage, Ridge, or Ruffled Coral. Most aquarists will receive the species M. ampliata that commonly lives in lagoons and other sheltered areas of the reef. Merulina Coral colonies begin life as an encrusting coral. With time, growth, and prevailing conditions, they start to develop the more spectacular structures that have made them famous with reef aquarists everywhere. It is normal to see the intricate skeleton frame through its skin. Fan-like plates are usually the first to form. More plates then form in the center of the fan, creating a ruffled appearance that truly resembles a head of cabbage or lettuce.

Rod Buehler · Oct 15, 2007

We, the hobbyists, are the only people that classify them as SPS, or LPS. . For me, an "SPS" has to have a coralite for the Small Polyp. Merulina has no coralites. Its all a matter of opinion

trido · Oct 26, 2007

IN the hobby, merulina type is a little known debate. It seems to be a cross between LPS and SPS. They have sweepers like and LPS but the polyps are so small they hardly fit into the category.
Here are a couple close ups from my tank This colony is only about 3 inches across in both directions. You can clearly see that each polyp is only 1mm across at best. Like stated above, Its just a cool coral. One of my favorites