Sarah Brown
Ricordea mushrooms, also known as flower anemones or discosomas, are a colourful and beautiful species of coral that can be a great addition to a reef tank. They are popular among saltwater aquarium enthusiasts due to their ease of keeping and amazing colourations. They are not difficult to keep healthy and thriving in a tank. They are generally non-aggressive and relatively slow-growing, making them a good choice for smaller tanks. They are also easy to frag or propagate. While you cannot glue Ricordea frags to get them to stay in place, there are several methods you can use to attach them, including using half shells, toothpicks, or placing them in a small plastic container with rubble rock or frag plugs and allowing them to attach naturally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Small, round body with short club or berry-shaped tentacles. |
| Habitat | Prefer to attach themselves to rocky substrates, including coral reefs and rocky outcrops. |
| Depth | Usually found at depths ranging from 5 to 50 feet. |
| Water Temperature | Thrive in warm, tropical waters. |
| Water Flow | Moderate water flow is preferred. |
| Light | Do not like direct light. |
| Sting | Possess a moderately powerful sting. |
| Reproduction | Reproduce by splitting into two separate specimens, unlike other mushrooms that produce small babies. |
| Colors | Come in almost every single colour variety. |
| Attachment Techniques | Use of half shells, superglue gel, zip ties/rubber bands, toothpicks, mesh, or natural attachment in low flow areas. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a sharp tool to cut and separate the mushroom
When separating a ricordia mushroom from its rock, it is important to use a sharp tool to cut through the mushroom's foot. You can use a sharp knife, a scalpel, or a razor blade to cut the mushroom at its base. If you are looking to thin out the mushrooms, you will also need to kill the base after cutting, as mushrooms will usually grow back from the remaining base. You can also use a screwdriver as a chisel, but this method is a little more risky as you may accidentally fracture the rock.
When using a sharp knife or razor blade, try to get a hold of as much of the foot as possible and cut or pull the mushroom off the rock. This will leave some tissue, which you can choose to scrape off or leave—it may grow into another mushroom. If you cannot pull the mushroom off, cut it off with a razor blade, getting as much of the foot as possible.
To prevent the mushrooms from melting, you can place them in a dish of rubble and put the dish in a low-flow area after cutting or pulling. If you have hermit crabs, you may need to put netting over the dish to prevent them from removing the mushrooms.
After cutting, swish the rock around in a bowl of tank water to remove any debris from the cutting. This will prevent the debris from clouding your tank.
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Place the mushroom in a half shell, mouth up
To attach a ricordia mushroom, you can use a half shell. First, find a half shell, which can usually be found in craft stores. Clean and scrub the shell, then boil it for 20 minutes. Rinse the shell again. Place the mushroom in the half shell, with the mouth facing up. Make sure that the mushroom is placed in the scoop part or the inside of the shell.
After placing the mushroom in the shell, cover it with a breathable material such as wedding veil fabric. Ensure that the fabric is made of polyester or another synthetic material, avoiding natural fabrics like cotton or wool. The breathable fabric will allow the mushroom to attach and settle on its own over a period of about 7 to 10 days.
Once the mushroom has attached, carefully remove the fabric. Be cautious, as unattached fragments may float out. Most of the coral fragments should now be attached to the substrate in the container.
Another method for attaching a ricordia mushroom is to place it in a small plastic container with a layer of live rock rubble, shells, or frag plugs. Cover the container with a breathable mesh, and the mushroom fragments will attach over time. Alternatively, you can try attaching the mushroom to a smaller piece of live rock using zip ties or rubber bands. The mushroom can then be glued to the rock, but be aware that some mushrooms may slime themselves off the glue.
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Cover with breathable mesh
When attaching a ricordia mushroom, one method is to use a modified mesh breeding container. Place the mushroom in the container, which should be stuck to the side of your tank with large crushed coral at the bottom. This will allow the mushroom to reattach to the sediment. It usually takes a few days for the mushroom to grab on, after which you can place it in your desired location.
To create a suitable environment for the mushroom to attach, it is important to consider the lighting and water current conditions. Ricordia mushrooms prefer low to medium lighting, so a partially shaded area in the middle of the tank is ideal. Avoid placing them too close to the top or bottom of the tank, as this may result in excessive light exposure.
In terms of water current, ricordia mushrooms do not thrive in strong currents. Aim for a moderate current, similar to a gentle flow, to provide the mushrooms with the optimal environment.
It is worth noting that some people have had success with other methods of attachment. For example, placing the mushroom on a rock with very low flow or using rubber bands or netting to hold it in place temporarily. However, some mushrooms may not attach to rocks and could be blown off by stronger currents.
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Use a small plastic strainer or container with rubble
When it comes to attaching a Ricordia mushroom, one recommended approach is to use a small plastic strainer or container with rubble. This method provides a simple and effective way to secure the mushroom in your aquarium. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Firstly, gather the necessary materials. You'll need a small plastic strainer or container, preferably one that is no larger than the base of the mushroom. It should be made of soft, flexible plastic that won't damage the delicate mushroom. Rinse the strainer or container thoroughly to remove any dust or debris before proceeding.
The next step is to collect rubble, which consists of small pieces of rock, coral, or other inert materials from your aquarium. You can use rubble from an established tank or purchase pre-made reef rubble online or from specialty fish stores. Just ensure that the rubble is free of sharp edges that could harm the mushroom.
Now, it's time to prepare the strainer or container. Fill it with the rubble, packing it tightly to create a stable base. You can use a small amount of aquarium-safe epoxy or silicone to secure the rubble in place, but make sure it's completely dry before proceeding to the next step.
With the strainer or container prepared, it's now ready for the mushroom. Gently place the Ricordia mushroom on top of the rubble, positioning it carefully to ensure it's secure and stable. You may need to adjust the rubble arrangement to find the ideal placement for the mushroom. Take your time with this step to avoid damaging the mushroom.
Finally, it's important to monitor the mushroom's progress. After attaching it to the strainer or container, place the assembly in your aquarium. Observe the mushroom over the next few days to ensure it remains attached and acclimates well to its new environment. With this method, the mushroom will receive adequate water flow and nutrients while being securely anchored to the strainer or container of rubble.
By following these steps, you can successfully attach a Ricordia mushroom using a small plastic strainer or container with rubble, providing an attractive and natural-looking addition to your aquarium.
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Tie down with string or zip ties/rubber bands
Tying down a ricordia mushroom with string, zip ties, or rubber bands is one of the methods to attach the mushroom to a rock. This method is useful if you want to control how the mushroom attaches. Firstly, place the mushroom on a small stack of rocks in an area with low flow. You can also put the rock in a small plastic container and fill the bottom with a layer of live rock rubble, shells, or frag plugs. Then, tie the mushroom down loosely with string, zip ties, or rubber bands. The mushroom will attach and settle on its own in around 3 days to a week. After it has attached, carefully remove the ties.
Another method is to use a small plastic strainer for plants and put rubble in there with the unattached mushrooms. You can also use a breathable mesh with a pore size smaller than your frag pieces. Cover the container with the mesh and place your fragments of Ricordea inside. The frags will attach and settle in about 7-10 days. Remove the mesh slowly and carefully to avoid unattached frags floating out.
Ricordia mushrooms, also known as flower anemones or discosomas, are a colourful and beautiful coral species. They are popular among saltwater aquarium enthusiasts due to their ease of keeping and unique appearance. These mushrooms prefer to attach themselves to rocky substrates, including coral reefs and rocky outcrops. They thrive in warm, tropical waters with moderate water flow.
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Frequently asked questions
Place the mushroom on a small stack of rocks in an area with low flow and let it attach naturally. You can also use a small plastic strainer for plants, put rubble in it with the unattached mushrooms, and place it in an area with low flow.
You can use superglue gel to attach the mushroom. However, some people say that the mushroom will slime itself off the glue.
Take a small plastic container, fill the bottom with a layer of live rock rubble, shells, or frag plugs, and place your fragments of Ricordea inside. Cover the container with a breathable mesh with a pore size larger than the frag pieces. The ricordia frags will attach and settle on their own in about 7-10 days.
The best way to attach a ricordia mushroom is to let it attach naturally. You can place it in a low-flow area with a piece of rubble rock or a frag plug and let it attach itself.
It usually takes around 3 days for a ricordia mushroom to attach. However, it can take up to 7-10 days in some cases.
