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Related FAQs: Merulinids 1, Merulinids 2, & FAQs on: Merulinid Identification, Merulinid Behavior, Merulinid Compatibility, Merulinid Selection, Merulinid Systems, Merulinid Feeding, Merulinid Disease, Merulinid Reproduction/Propagation, & Stony/True Coral, Coral System Set-Up, Coral System Lighting, Stony Coral Identification, Stony Coral Selection, Coral PlacementFoods/Feeding/Nutrition, Disease/Health, Propagation, Growing Reef CoralsStony Coral Behavior, SPS Identification, SPS Behavior, SPS Compatibility, SPS Selection, SPS Systems, SPS Feeding, SPS Disease, SPS Reproduction,

Related Articles: Small Polyp Stony CoralsStony or True Corals, Order Scleractinia, Dyed Corals,

/The Best Livestock For Your Reef Aquarium:

 Corals of the Family Merulinidae, Part 3

Part 1: To Echinopora
Part 2: Genus Hydnophora 
Part 4: To Genus Paramontastrea
Part 5: Genus Pectinia

 

Bob Fenner

 

Genus Merulina Ehrenberg 1834, Lettuce/Cabbage, Ruffled/Ridged Coral. Valleys are short, narrow, broadening before widening, fanning out at edges. Wandering plates to rising branches, often on the same colony. Not easy to keep in captivity. /WA Corals:  laminar with upright branches • valleys spread like a fan

Merulina ampliata (Ellis & Solander 1786). Colonies generally laminar, but may be tree-like.  Aquarium photo.

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Merulina scabricula Dana 1846
Characters: Colonies are laminar or subarborescent, with these different growth-forms characteristically occurring together in large colonies. Valleys are short, straight, and spread in a fan before dividing. They radiate from the colony centre on flat surfaces, but are highly contorted on branches. Flat surfaces often have concentric growth lines. Tentacles are extended only at night. Well developed colonies always have some branch development.
Colour: 
Blue or pale brown with blue margins (which may photograph pink). Tentacles are extended only at night.
Similar Species: 
Merulina ampliata, which has thicker and coarser skeletal structures. (COTW) NSUL 2005.

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The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

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