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Mushroom Coral Care
Mushroom corals, belonging to the corallimorph family, are some of the most beginner-friendly and adaptable corals in the reef aquarium hobby. Known for their unique textures, vibrant colors, and ease of care, these corals are a favorite for both novice and advanced reef keepers.
Overview
- Scientific Name: Corallimorpharia (common genera: Discosoma, Rhodactis, Ricordea)
- Common Names: Mushroom coral, Disc anemones
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Placement: Lower areas of the tank or shaded regions
- Aggressiveness: Low (but may overgrow other corals if left unchecked)
- Lighting: Low to moderate
- Water Flow: Low to moderate
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Tank Requirements
Tank Size: Suitable for nano tanks and larger systems.
A minimum of 10 gallons is recommended, though they thrive in larger tanks with stable conditions.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 75–80°F (24–27°C)
Salinity: 1.024–1.026 specific gravity
pH: 8.1–8.4
Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH
Calcium: 380–450 ppm
Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
Nitrates: 5–20 ppm (tolerates higher nitrate levels compared to SPS corals)
Phosphates: <0.1 ppm
Lighting Needs
Mushroom corals prefer low to moderate lighting and can thrive in shaded areas of the aquarium.
- PAR Range: 50–150 PAR
- Excessive light can cause bleaching or retraction, while too little light may reduce their growth rate.
Water Flow
- Gentle water movement is ideal. Strong flow may cause them to detach from their substrate or shrink.
- Use a wavemaker or adjustable powerhead set to a low setting in their vicinity.
Placement
- Place mushroom corals on the sandbed or in shaded crevices, depending on the tank’s lighting.
- Secure them to rocks using reef-safe glue or let them naturally attach.
- Keep a few inches of space between mushroom corals and other corals, as they can outcompete others for space and nutrients.
Feeding
Mushroom corals are photosynthetic but benefit from supplemental feeding.
- Diet: Marine plankton, finely chopped meaty foods (e.g., mysis shrimp), or coral foods.
- Spot feed weekly for faster growth, though they will thrive with just lighting and occasional detritus consumption.
Common Varieties
- Discosoma spp. – Smooth texture, less vibrant but extremely hardy.
- Rhodactis spp. – Often textured or hairy; tolerates a bit more light.
- Ricordea spp. (Ricordea florida and Ricordea yuma) – Known for their bright, fluorescent colors and slightly higher care needs.
Propagation
Mushroom corals reproduce both sexually and asexually:
- Asexual: They spread through pedal laceration, where fragments of their base form new polyps.
- Propagation Methods: Cut them with a sharp scalpel or razor into smaller sections, ensuring a portion of the mouth remains on each piece. Place fragments in a low-flow, stable area to heal and attach.
Potential Issues
Bleaching: Caused by too much light or sudden changes in water parameters.
- Solution: Move them to a shaded area and check water quality.
Overgrowth: Mushroom corals can dominate tank space and spread uncontrollably.
- Solution: Regularly prune colonies and isolate them on specific rock structures.
Detachment: If unhappy, they may detach and “float” around the tank.
- Solution: Check for excessive flow or poor placement; secure them better.
Tank Mates
Mushroom corals are compatible with a wide range of reef-safe tank mates:
- Fish: Clownfish, gobies, wrasses, and tangs.
- Inverts: Snails, hermit crabs, and shrimp.
- Avoid corals or species that may sting or overshadow them.
Tips for Success
- Stability is key: Keep water parameters consistent.
- Avoid direct competition: They can release allelopathic chemicals in confined spaces.
- Limit flow and light: Too much of either can stress them.
- Quarantine new additions: Prevent pests like flatworms from hitchhiking into your tank.
By following these guidelines, mushroom corals can thrive and add stunning textures and colors to your reef aquarium with minimal effort.
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