Laura Smith
Mushroom corals are a stunning addition to any reef tank and are often recommended for new reef keepers due to their hardiness, ease of care, and low maintenance. They are soft corals that come in a wide variety of colours, shapes, and textures, and can add a dynamic and visually stunning element to any marine setup. This paragraph will discuss the key factors that indicate whether your mushroom corals are doing well and offer guidance on optimal care practices to ensure their health and vibrant appearance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of care | Beginner-friendly, low-maintenance, and hardy |
| Lighting | Low to moderate light levels (50-150 PAR); susceptible to bleaching and shrinking with too much light |
| Water flow | Low to moderate water flow; strong currents can cause retraction or detachment |
| Placement | Stable, flat surface like rock or coral rubble; tendency to spread and attach to surfaces |
| Water parameters | Adaptable to a broad range of conditions, but thrive in stable conditions with moderate nutrient levels |
| Feeding | Photosynthetic, but benefit from supplemental feeding 1-2 times a week |
| Pests | Susceptible to pests like flatworms and nudibranchs |
| Common issues | Colour loss, shrinking, or melting due to stress or poor water quality |
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What You'll Learn
Lighting
Mushroom corals are photosynthetic, meaning they gain energy from the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) within their tissues. As such, they require sufficient lighting to drive this process.
Mushroom corals are typically found in low-light conditions and prefer low to moderate light levels in the range of 50-150 PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation). Some sources suggest that they can tolerate up to 200 PAR, and they may require 3-5 watts per gallon. This equates to around 8-10 hours of lighting per day, although this can be continuous if you have LED lighting with a moon-lighting setting.
If your mushroom coral is in a brighter location, you should acclimate it slowly by starting in a shaded area and gradually moving it into more light over several weeks. Too much light can cause bleaching or shrinking, and they may try to move to a shadier spot if they are uncomfortable. They will usually be fully open and laying flat when the lighting conditions are to their liking.
Mushroom corals often do well in shadier spots under overhangs or in corners, and they generally do best in the lower to middle sections of the aquarium where light intensity is lower and conditions are more stable.
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Water flow
Mushroom corals are a type of soft coral that belong to the family Discosomatidae. They have a unique ability to adapt to a broad range of water conditions, including different flow rates. However, it is important to provide them with an optimal environment for their health and growth.
In nature, mushroom corals are found in temperate to tropical marine ecosystems, often in low-flow environments. They can be found in various regions, including Australia, Tonga, Indonesia, and the Caribbean.
In an aquarium setting, it is recommended to provide mushroom corals with low to moderate water flow. Placing them near powerheads or other sources of strong water flow should be avoided. Low water flow helps prevent detritus from settling on the corals and protects their delicate tissues. It is also important to note that mushroom corals prefer indirect flow, as strong, direct currents can cause them to retract or even detach from their base.
To create a comfortable and low-stress environment for mushroom corals, it is recommended to position them in the lower to middle sections of the aquarium. These areas typically have more stable conditions and lower light intensities, which align with the preferences of mushroom corals. Additionally, providing a flat and stable surface, such as a rock or coral rubble, is ideal for their attachment.
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Nutrient levels
Mushroom corals are considered polytrophic, meaning they can gain energy from multiple sources. They are photosynthetic, deriving energy from the symbiotic zooxanthellae within their tissues. They can also absorb nutrients directly from the water. Therefore, nutrient levels in the water are important for their growth and health.
Mushroom corals tend to do well in systems with moderate nutrient levels. A small amount of nitrate and phosphate in the water supports their growth and helps maintain vibrant coloration. They can tolerate higher levels of nitrates and phosphates, which can even encourage faster growth and deeper, richer coloration. However, in ultra-clean systems with very low nutrient levels, mushrooms may appear smaller and paler.
While calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium are not as critical for mushrooms as they are for hard corals, they should still be kept within standard reef parameters to support overall system stability. Regular water changes can help maintain water quality and stability, and prevent the buildup of harmful substances.
It is important to note that overfeeding can lead to poor water quality and an increase in harmful bacteria, which can negatively impact the health of mushroom corals. Therefore, it is recommended to feed mushroom corals small meaty foods, such as brine shrimp or mysis shrimp, 1-2 times a week, being careful not to overfeed.
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Placement
Mushroom corals are a staple soft coral to add to reef aquariums. They are beginner-friendly, fast-growing, colourful, and adaptable. They can tolerate small parameter swings that might stress other corals. However, they still appreciate a stable environment.
When placing mushroom corals, it is important to provide them with a comfortable, low-stress environment. They should be placed in the lower to middle areas of the tank with low to moderate light and gentle, indirect flow. They often do well in shadier spots under overhangs or in corners where other corals may struggle. They can also be placed directly on a rock or frag plug in the substrate so that they are not directly on the sandbed.
Mushroom corals can move on their own by inflating and deflating their tissues, or by detaching from their base and using the water flow to float to a new location. They typically move during the night when the aquarium lights are switched off, in search of a more suitable placement. Therefore, it is important to let them move to their preferred location without interfering.
If you do not want your mushroom corals to spread, you can place them on their own rock island. You should also monitor them regularly for signs of stress and be ready to adjust their placement or conditions if needed.
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Feeding
Mushroom corals are photosynthetic, meaning they produce their own food through photosynthesis. However, supplemental feeding can significantly improve their growth, coloration, and overall health. While they can survive without targeted feeding, providing nutritious foods will help them thrive.
Mushrooms will accept a variety of foods, including meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, Calanus, and small pieces of fish or shrimp. They also eat powdered coral foods like Reef Roids and Benepets, pellet foods like Fauna Marin LPS pellets, and liquid supplements like AquaVitro Fuel.
When feeding, turn off the water flow. Using a turkey baster or pipette, gently place the food directly over the coral's mouth, which is located in the centre of the disc. Allow the coral to fully consume the food before turning the flow back on. Target feeding once or twice a week is usually sufficient. In higher-nutrient environments, feed less frequently to avoid excess organics in the water.
Be careful not to overfeed, as this can lead to poor water quality and an increase in harmful bacteria. Overcrowding in the aquarium can also cause bacterial infections, resulting in the mushroom coral turning slimy or mushy.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom corals can adapt to a variety of lighting conditions but tend to do best under moderate to high lighting. They require blue light for nutrition and growth. If they are not getting enough light, they may not open up or may lose colour.
Mushroom corals do best in low to moderate water flow. They may become stressed and dislodge themselves if the water flow is too high.
If you do not want your mushroom corals to move, you can anchor them to a piece of rock or coral rubble using fishing line or aquarium glue.
Some people choose to target feed their mushroom corals, but this is not recommended as it can harm the corals. Instead, you should dose the tank with supplements such as Microbe Lift, which contains chelated iron, essential minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and calcium concentrate.
Mushroom corals come in a variety of colours, including green, purple, blue, and red. Some may have a metallic sheen or a fluorescent glow. If your mushroom corals are bleaching or turning brown, they may be getting too much light.
