Emma Wilson
Mushroom corals are a stunning addition to any reef tank and are a popular choice for both beginner and experienced reef-keepers. They are relatively easy to care for and can be kept in a variety of lighting and water flow conditions, making them a forgiving choice for those new to reef-keeping. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know to keep your mushroom corals healthy and thriving, including their preferred lighting and water flow levels, feeding requirements, and propagation methods. We will also discuss the different species of mushroom corals available and how to choose the right one for your tank.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Water flow | Low to moderate |
| Lighting | Low to moderate |
| Placement | Bottom to middle of the tank |
| Water temperature | 75-80°F |
| Salinity | 1.023-1.025 |
| Feeding | Fish and coral foods, small meats, brine shrimp |
| Surface | Flat surface, such as a rock or coral rubble |
| Water changes | 10-20% every 1-2 weeks |
| Water movement sources | Not directed at the corals |
| Lighting type | LED or T5 |
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What You'll Learn
Mushroom corals require low to medium lighting
Mushroom corals are known for their ability to move around the aquarium. They do this by inflating and deflating their coral tissues, which allows them to "'walk" across the substrate. They may also move in response to changes in lighting, water flow, or water quality. If you notice your mushroom coral moving around, don't be alarmed—this indicates that they are healthy and happy in their environment.
Mushroom corals should be placed on live rock or rock rubble as they will attach themselves there. They like to stay mostly towards the bottom to middle of the tank so that they get low to medium lighting. All powerheads and water movement sources should not be directed at the mushroom corals, as they do not like strong water flow. Give your mushroom corals a small amount of indirect water movement.
Mushroom corals can adapt to a variety of lighting conditions, but they tend to do best under moderate to high lighting. LED or T5 lighting is recommended, and the light should be placed above the aquarium and angled towards the corals. If your mushroom corals are not opening up or are losing colour, this may be a sign that they are not getting enough light. On the other hand, if the corals are bleaching or turning brown, they may be getting too much light.
Mushrooms will walk themselves to a suitable spot within your aquarium if they are placed in an undesirable location. Keep their desired preference of lighting and flow in mind when initially adding them to your aquarium.
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They can reproduce both sexually and asexually
Mushroom corals are easy to care for and can reproduce both sexually and asexually. In the wild, sexual reproduction occurs once or twice a year, with corals synchronizing the release of gametes (eggs and sperm) over a few days after a full moon. This is known as "coral mass spawning".
In aquariums, sexual reproduction is more sporadic, and the conditions are very different from the wild. The eggs and larvae produced become a natural food source for fish, and if they are not eaten, they are likely to be sucked up by the filtration system. To increase the chances of sexual reproduction, reduce the powerhead if possible. Warmer water temperatures can also trigger sexual reproduction in corals.
Asexual reproduction is most common in the home aquarium. This can occur through fragmentation, or "fragging", which involves using a scalpel, razor blade, or sharp knife to cut the coral in half through its mouth. This is a form of budding, where a small part of the coral's foot or stalk extends away from its base and attaches to a rock or substrate. This new growth is genetically identical to the parent coral and will eventually detach to become a fully-formed mushroom coral.
Different species of mushroom coral reproduce asexually in different ways. For example, Rhodactis splits itself in two at the mouth (binary fission), while Discosoma tears off and leaves behind a piece of its foot as it crawls across the rock (pedal laceration), a much slower process.
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They can be fed small meats like brine shrimp
Mushroom corals are photosynthetic, meaning they produce their own food through photosynthesis. However, they can benefit from being fed small meaty foods, such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, or small pieces of fish or shrimp. Feeding your mushroom corals 1-2 times a week is sufficient, but be careful not to overfeed as this can lead to poor water quality and an increase in harmful bacteria.
Brine shrimp are a popular choice for feeding mushroom corals due to the many benefits they offer. They are a good source of nutrition for the corals and can help them thrive. Additionally, they are a convenient option as they can be purchased already hatched and ready to feed to the corals. This makes it easy for reefers to provide their corals with a nutritious meal without the hassle of preparing the food themselves.
There are a few methods for feeding brine shrimp to mushroom corals. One method is to use a brine shrimp hatchery dish, which keeps unhatched eggs and shells separate from the hatched shrimp. The hatched shrimp will swim towards the light and can then be fed to the corals. Another method is to place a dome, such as the top portion of a water bottle with the lid, over the coral. The live food can be placed inside the dome, allowing the coral to feed on it over time without the risk of fish eating it or the current carrying it away.
Some people may question the need to feed corals additional food, as they can produce their own through photosynthesis. However, scientific articles have shown the benefits of feeding live hatched brine shrimp to corals, often resulting in better outcomes than other feeding strategies. While some people may choose to feed their corals other types of food, such as rotifers or powdered food, brine shrimp can be a nutritious and convenient option for those looking to provide their mushroom corals with supplemental feedings.
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Mushroom corals are hardy and can adapt to a range of water conditions
Mushroom corals are a stunning addition to any reef tank and are relatively hardy, making them a great choice for beginner reef-keepers. They can tolerate a wide range of water conditions and are adaptable to various lighting conditions. However, to ensure optimal growth and health, it is important to provide stable water parameters and maintain high water quality.
Mushroom corals come in a vast variety of species, such as Ricordea, Discosoma, and Rhodactis, each with its own unique characteristics. These corals are typically found in the shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific region, thriving in lagoons, reef flats, and other similar environments. They are often found growing on rocks, sand, or other hard surfaces.
When it comes to water parameters, the temperature for mushroom corals should be maintained between 75-80°F, with a pH between 8.1-8.4. Salinity should be kept between 1.023-1.025, and alkalinity should range from 8-12 dKH. It is crucial to keep nitrate and phosphate levels as low as possible, ideally below 5 ppm and 0.03 ppm, respectively. Regular water changes of 10-20% every 1-2 weeks are recommended to maintain water quality and prevent the accumulation of waste or toxins.
Regarding lighting, mushroom corals are adaptable but tend to do best under moderate to high lighting conditions. LED lights are recommended, with an optimal PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) range of 50-150. It is important not to exceed 12 hours of lighting per day to prevent coral bleaching.
In addition to stable water parameters and lighting conditions, mushroom corals should be provided with proper water flow and nutrient levels. They prefer low to moderate flow ranges, and occasional feeding with a balanced diet of fish and coral foods, such as Benepets, Fauna Marin LPS Pellets, and AquaVitro Fuel. However, it is important not to overfeed, as this can lead to poor water quality and an increase in harmful bacteria.
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They should be placed on a flat surface, like a rock
Mushroom corals should be placed on a flat surface, such as a rock or piece of coral rubble. They can be anchored to the rock using a small piece of fishing line or aquarium glue. They like to stay towards the bottom to middle of the tank, where they receive low to medium lighting. Avoid placing them near powerheads or other sources of strong water flow, as they prefer low to moderate water flow.
Mushroom corals are known for their ability to move around the aquarium. They do this by inflating and deflating their coral tissues, allowing them to "walk" across the substrate. They may also move in response to changes in lighting, water flow, or water quality. If you notice a mushroom coral moving around your aquarium, don't be alarmed—this indicates that they are healthy and happy in their environment.
If you want to prevent your mushroom corals from moving, you can anchor them to a rock or coral rubble as mentioned above. Additionally, you can try to meet their preferred lighting and water flow conditions. Mushroom corals can adapt to a variety of lighting conditions but tend to do best under moderate to high lighting. They reproduce more with increased lighting, but too much light can bleach and damage them.
Mushroom corals are relatively hardy and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions. However, for optimal growth and health, stable water parameters are important. Water temperature should be maintained between 75-80°F, and salinity should be between 1.023-1.025.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom corals can adapt to a variety of lighting conditions but prefer moderate to high lighting. They should be placed in lower-light areas as exposure to high light can bleach and damage them.
Mushroom corals prefer low to moderate water flow. They should not be exposed to strong water flow as it can stress them out.
Mushroom corals will filter feed off marine algae, phytoplankton, and waste particles in your water to get the nutrients they need. They can also be fed small meats such as brine shrimp as a food supplement.
Mushroom corals can be anchored to a piece of rock or coral rubble using a small piece of fishing line or aquarium glue.
Perform a 20% water change and add supplements such as iodine, magnesium, calcium, and strontium.
