
Ricordea yuma and Ricordea florida are two species of Ricordea mushrooms. They are often referred to as Yumas and Rics, respectively. While they belong to the same genus, there are several differences between the two species. For instance, Yumas have nodes or bumps around their mouths, while Rics do not. Yumas are also more sensitive to water quality and lighting conditions, making them more difficult to keep long-term. Additionally, Yumas reproduce by giving birth to babies, while Rics reproduce by splitting in half. Despite these differences, both species are known for their vibrant colours and unique bubble-like appearance, making them highly sought-after in the reef aquarium hobby.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Ricordea Mushrooms, False Coral, Rics, Yumas |
| Scientific name | Ricordea florida, R. Yuma |
| Phylum | Cnidaria |
| Class | Anthozoa |
| Subclass | Zoantharia |
| Order | Corallimorpharia |
| Family | Ricordeidae |
| Genus | Ricordea |
| Difference in appearance | Yumas have nodes/bumps around their mouths; Rics do not |
| Difference in reproduction | Rics reproduce by splitting in half; Yumas give birth to babies |
| Difference in sensitivity | Yumas are more temperamental to light and sensitive to tank parameters |
| Difference in price | Rics are cheaper and easier to reproduce |
| Difference in water chemistry | Yumas are more sensitive to water quality |
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What You'll Learn

Ricordea Yuma and Ricordea Florida are both types of mushrooms
One of the most noticeable differences between the two species is their physical appearance. Ricordea Yuma has nodes or bumps around its mouth, while Ricordea Florida does not. Ricordea Yuma's mouth is often surrounded by a large concentration of tentacles, resulting in a more vibrant display of colours. In contrast, Ricordea Florida's mouth is usually small and isolated from any tentacles, creating a distinctive "bulls-eye" pattern with alternating rings of colours.
In terms of reproduction, Ricordea Yuma and Ricordea Florida have different methods. Ricordea Yuma reproduces by giving birth to a baby, while Ricordea Florida reproduces by splitting in half, similar to other mushrooms like Discosoma. Ricordea Florida's slower growth rate makes it easier to care for and more suitable for beginners.
Both Ricordea Yuma and Ricordea Florida require sufficient lighting to promote their colour development. They are photosynthetic and can meet their energy needs through aquarium lighting. However, Ricordea Yuma is more sensitive to light and tank parameters, making it more challenging to maintain in the long term.
Despite their differences, both Ricordea Yuma and Ricordea Florida are highly sought-after by hobbyists due to their stunning appearance and colour variations. They add a vibrant and unique touch to any reef aquarium.
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Yumas are temperamental and sensitive to light and water quality
Yumas (Ricordea yuma) and Rics (Ricordea Florida) are both mushrooms belonging to the genus "Ricordea". Yumas are known for their temperamental nature and sensitivity to light and water quality. They are described as "VERY temperamental" and challenging in terms of long-term success.
Yumas are sensitive to light, and excessive light can cause them to shrivel up and die. They thrive in lower light zones, and providing them with shade or placing them in a cave can help protect them from direct sunlight. However, a lack of light can also be detrimental, as some Yumas have been observed to shrink, turn white, and melt away when deprived of sufficient light.
Water quality is another critical factor for Yumas. They require stable and optimal water conditions, as fluctuations or poor water quality can lead to shrinkage and even the death of the organism.
While Yumas are more challenging to care for than Rics, some people have successfully kept Yumas in their tanks. These experienced hobbyists recommend allowing Yumas to settle in after the stress of shipping and providing them with a stable environment. Over time, Yumas can become hardy, and some individuals have reported keeping Yumas for up to eight years, with successful reproduction through asexual reproduction.
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Rics are cheaper and easier to reproduce
Rics (Ricordea Florida) and Yumas (Ricordea Yuma) are both mushrooms from the genus Ricordea. They are similar in terms of lighting and flow, but there are some differences between the two.
One of the key distinctions is that Yumas tend to be more expensive and temperamental than Rics. Yumas are known to be more sensitive to light and tank parameters, and they are also more difficult to keep long-term due to their higher sensitivity to water quality. Additionally, Yumas have distinctive bumps or nodes all the way up to their mouths, while Rics' bumps stop at the mouth.
In terms of reproduction, Rics are cheaper and easier to reproduce. Rics reproduce by splitting in half, while Yumas give birth to "'babies' that pop out from their base. Rics develop multiple mouths and eventually separate into two polyps through longitudinal fission. This makes them easier to propagate and maintain in a reef tank.
The availability and pricing of Rics and Yumas may vary depending on location. In North America, for example, Rics are generally available in great colors, numbers, and abundance. On the other hand, Yumas are highly regarded in the Australian aquarium hobby due to limited access to other varieties. Yumas with more colors tend to be more expensive, and their prices can range from $100 to close to $200. Rics, on the other hand, typically cost anywhere from $30 to $40.
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Yumas have nodes on their mouths, Rics do not
Yumas and Rics (Ricordea mushrooms) are part of the Ricordea genus and are both desirable Corallimorphs in the reef aquarium hobby due to their unique bubble-like appearance. They are similar in terms of lighting and flow, but Yumas are more sensitive to water quality and are more difficult to keep long-term. Yumas are also more temperamental to light and tank parameters.
Yumas and Rics have some distinct differences. Yumas have nodes or bumps on their mouths, whereas Rics do not. Yumas have a concentration of tentacles surrounding their mouths, while Rics have small and isolated mouths without any surrounding tentacles. Yumas reproduce by having a baby pop out of their base, while Rics reproduce by splitting in half.
Yumas and Rics also differ in their appearance. Yumas usually don't have distinctive bubbles on their surface, except on the edge, whereas Rics are covered in bubbles on their entire surface. Yumas have alternating rows of large and small tentacles on their bodies that radiate outwards from the mouth, while Rics have uniform bubbles and their tentacles may show distinctive rings of colours.
Yumas are generally more expensive than Rics and are considered more temperamental and difficult to keep long-term. Rics tend to be cheaper and easier to reproduce. Overall, both Yumas and Rics are stunning and come in a variety of great colours.
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Yumas reproduce by giving birth, Rics split in half
Yumas and Rics are types of mushroom coral, belonging to the genus "Ricordea". They are both commonly referred to as "Ricordea Mushrooms" or "False Coral". While Yumas and Rics share a genus, they differ in appearance and reproductive methods.
Yumas reproduce by giving birth. A user on Reef2Reef reported that their Yumas had "cast off pups", but that the pups were "taking their sweet time growing". Another user on the same forum noted that their Yumas had "dropped numerous babies".
Rics reproduce by splitting in half. One Reef2Reef user described this process as follows: "the polyp elongated, then pinched in at the centre". This method of reproduction is similar to that of anemones.
The different reproductive methods of Yumas and Rics are not the only ways in which mushrooms can reproduce. Some mushrooms, such as King Kong mushrooms, reproduce by "spitting out babies", while others split in half. Additionally, some mushrooms, like the golden bounce ricordea, do not reproduce at all.
The choice of reproduction method may be influenced by the conditions in which the mushrooms are kept. For instance, maintaining a relative humidity of 85-95% and an appropriate temperature range for the specific species can help prevent cracked mushroom caps, which may impact the development of the mushroom's fruit body.
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Frequently asked questions
Yumas and Rics are both mushrooms from the genus Ricordea. They are similar in terms of lighting and flow but differ in their water chemistry. Yumas are more sensitive to water quality and have a lower long-term survival rate. Yumas have a concentration of tentacles around their mouths, whereas Rics have small and isolated mouths. Yumas are found in the Indo-Pacific region, whereas Rics are found in the Caribbean region.
Yumas reproduce by having a baby pop out from their base, whereas Rics reproduce by splitting in half.
Yumas can be quite pricey, especially those with more than two or three colours. Rics, on the other hand, typically cost around \$30 to \$40.
























