Sarah Brown
Mushroom corals, or corallimorphs, are a great option for beginner aquarists as they are easy to care for and can be fragged or will reproduce on their own. They are hardy and can grow in areas of low light. They can be fragged by separating the mushroom from the rock it is attached to, using a sharp knife to cut the coral across the column. This will cause the coral to shrink, and the remaining disc can be rinsed and placed in a holding bath of aquarium water. Alternatively, you can use a screwdriver and hammer to chip off a piece of the rock with the mushroom attached, or use a clean razor blade to cut the mushroom, which will cause it to split or shoot out a baby mushroom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom Coral Common Names | Mushroom Coral, Mushroom Anemones, Bounce Coral, False Coral, Ricordea |
| Scientific Names | Corallimorpharia, Actinodiscus, Discosoma, Rhodactis, Ricordea |
| Care Level | Most species are easy to care for, but some rare mushrooms require moderate care |
| Light Level | Most require low to moderate light intensity, but some bright colour varieties need higher intensity light |
| Flow Level | Most require low to moderate water flow |
| Fragging | Separate the mushroom from the rock it is attached to, use a sharp knife to cut the coral across the column |
| Alternatively, cut small pieces of rock around the foot of the mushroom, or chip/crack a piece of rock away with the mushroom attached | |
| Mushrooms are self-fragging and will split by themselves when they reach a certain size |
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What You'll Learn
Mushroom corals' natural ability to survive physical damage
Mushroom corals, also known as corallimorphs, are hardy animals that can survive and prosper from physical damage. This natural ability makes them ideal for novice aquarists experimenting with fragging.
The process of fragging involves separating the mushroom coral from the rock it is attached to. This can be done by cutting or scraping the coral at its base with a sharp knife, being sure to leave a decent piece of the foot attached. The coral will then regenerate from the remaining tissue, forming a new mushroom with a mouth. Alternatively, one can chip or crack a piece of rock away with the coral attached, and glue it to a new location.
The ability of mushroom corals to regenerate from small pieces of tissue is what allows them to survive physical damage. This quality, along with their ability to reproduce asexually, means that they can spread and prosper even after suffering life-threatening damage.
In addition to their regenerative abilities, mushroom corals have other defensive mechanisms that help them protect themselves from predators. For example, Rhodactis mushrooms can produce toxins that deter some fish and invertebrates from eating them. They can also retract their tentacles and close their mouths to avoid physical damage. Furthermore, mushroom corals can adapt to a multitude of aquarium environments and conditions, making them resilient to changes in lighting, water quality, and feeding habits.
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Use a sharp knife to separate from rock
Mushroom corals are hardy organisms that can survive and prosper from physical damage. When fragging mushroom corals, you will need to separate the coral from the rock it is attached to. To do this, you will need a sharp knife.
Craft knives with curved blades are preferred by some for this process, as they are easier to generate a clean downward cut with. However, a straight-edged blade will also suffice. Simply cut the coral across the column, leaving the attachment disc behind. As you do this, a large amount of mucus and the white filaments of the animal's gut will be released. These can be discarded to leave the quartered disc behind. It is a good idea to rinse the frags to remove the "goo" before placing them into another holding bath of aquarium water.
If you cannot remove the rock, turn off the flow in your tank and use a new sharp blade. You may be able to get the coral off with a tiny speck of rock attached. If you cut the coral, it will still heal, but if you cut a bunch in the tank, you may wish to run some carbon as they will release some toxins.
Some people prefer not to disturb the mushroom while fragging, so it stays in good shape and they do not have to wait for it to heal. Instead, they glue frag plugs around the coral or as close to the foot as possible, so it can walk over onto it. If not, you can cut the rock with a screwdriver and hammer, or chisel/drill the rock out from underneath.
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Rinse frags to remove mucus
Rinsing frags to remove mucus is an important step in the mushroom coral fragging process. Mushroom corals, also known as corallimorphs, have experienced a decline in popularity in recent years due to the emergence of more advanced lighting and filtration systems. However, they remain a great option for novice aquarists and can enhance the aesthetic appeal of an aquarium with their vibrant colours and unique textures.
Mushroom corals have a tendency to overpopulate and dominate the substrate, which can be problematic for other creatures in the tank. Fragging is a common method used to control their population and prevent them from overtaking the entire aquarium. During the fragging process, it is inevitable to encounter a significant amount of mucus, which is a natural byproduct of the coral's regenerative abilities.
To effectively rinse the frags and remove the mucus, it is recommended to use a holding bath of aquarium water. This step ensures that the excess mucus and white filaments of the animal's gut are discarded, leaving behind a clean and quartered disc. It is important to note that mushroom corals have the ability to regenerate from small pieces of tissue, so even a small portion of the coral can be used for fragging.
In addition to rinsing the frags, it is crucial to prioritise safety during the fragging process. While there is limited evidence suggesting that the chemicals and tissues within mushroom corals are harmful to humans, it is always recommended to take precautionary measures. Wearing latex gloves, facial protection, sealed safety goggles, and a dust mask can minimise potential risks and ensure a safe fragging experience.
By following these steps and paying close attention to safety, aquarists can successfully frag mushroom corals while effectively removing mucus and promoting the health and aesthetics of their aquatic ecosystems.
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Self-fragging by splitting
Mushroom corals are some of the easiest species to care for and frag. They are also one of the best choices for beginners looking to frag coral. They can reproduce sexually and asexually. The asexual method involves budding and splitting, which are natural and performed by the coral itself.
In the case of splitting, the mushroom coral forms a second mouth and bifurcates down the center, cutting itself in half. Each half will then regrow to full size and will space themselves out. The two halves are genetically identical.
To frag a mushroom coral by splitting, you will need to separate it from the rock it is attached to. You will need a very sharp knife, such as a craft knife with a curved blade, or a straight-edged blade. You will also need safety equipment such as rubber gloves, a dust mask, sealed safety goggles, and a hand-drying rag.
First, cut the coral across the column, leaving the attachment disc behind. You will notice a large amount of mucus and the white filaments of the animal's gut. Rinse the frags to remove the mucus before placing them into another holding bath of aquarium water. The attachment disc needs to be cut into quarters and left in each segment so that the corals can regrow better. Make sure to leave a small piece of this central oral cavity in each resulting fragged coral.
Finally, fill a shallow container with small pieces of live rock and add aquarium water to the container. Once your frag has settled and attached, you can safely remove the plastic mesh and glue the chunk of rock to the final location in your aquarium.
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Use glue to attach to substrate
When fragging mushroom corals, it is important to remember that you are exploiting their natural ability to survive and prosper from physical damage. Mushroom corals are self-fragging and will split by themselves when they reach a certain size. However, if you want to speed up this process, you can cut them into pieces to make more.
To attach the mushroom coral to a substrate, you can use glue. First, separate the mushroom coral from the rock it is attached to by cutting or scraping it at the base. You can then use super glue to attach the coral to a frag plug or rubble rock. Place the coral on top of the glue and blow on it to help it attach. Alternatively, you can lightly glue a frag plug to the edge of the rock and wait for the mushroom to grow onto it. Once it has attached, you can break off the frag plug.
Another method is to use a needle and thread to attach the coral to a rock. You can also try to get the mushroom coral to attach itself by placing it in a cup with rubble and covering it with an old fish net. Set the cup in a low-flow area and the coral should attach in a week or two.
It is worth noting that glue may not work well for softies. Additionally, it is recommended to wear latex gloves and facial protection when handling mushroom corals to protect yourself from any potentially hazardous chemicals or tissues.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom corals are able to reproduce both sexually and asexually. Fragging is a form of asexual reproduction that creates tiny clones of the coral, which can be used for aquascaping and filling out tanks.
You will need a sharp knife, preferably with a curved blade, and a screwdriver and hammer. You may also want to wear latex gloves and facial protection.
First, separate the mushroom coral from the rock it is attached to. Then, cut the coral with a knife, leaving the attachment disc behind. Rinse the frags to remove the mucus before placing them into another holding bath of aquarium water.
One technique is to slice off the entire cap of the mushroom coral with a horizontal slice, leaving the foot and stalk behind. Another technique is to cut small pieces of rock around the foot of the individual mushrooms. You can also try to glue frag plugs around the foot of the mushroom, and then break off the frag plug once the mushroom grows onto it.
