Sarah Brown
Ricordea mushrooms are a popular choice for saltwater aquarium enthusiasts due to their ease of care and vibrant colourations. They are a type of coral that resembles mushrooms with their round bodies and bulbous tentacles. They are photosynthetic and derive most of their nutrition from the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae hosted within each coral. They also eat smaller invertebrates and crustaceans. Ricordea mushrooms prefer low to moderate water flow and light, and they reproduce by splitting. They can be propagated by cutting individual polyps into several pieces and placing them on a gravel substrate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhodactis howesii |
| Genus | Ricordea |
| Species | Ricordea florida, Ricordea yuma |
| Origin | Ricordea yuma: Indo-Pacific region; Ricordea florida: Caribbean region, particularly the waters surrounding the Florida Keys |
| Appearance | Roundish body with small, bulbous tentacles; usually 2 to 3" in diameter |
| Colour | Blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, yellow, tan, etc. |
| Lighting | Low to moderate light (80-150 PAR); not deepwater species |
| Water Flow | Low to moderate water flow; strong water movement causes detachment |
| Attachment | Prefer attaching to rocks |
| Nutrition | Photosynthetic; symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae; also eat plankton and small invertebrates |
| Reproduction | Splitting, budding, laceration, division/fission |
| Propagation | Cutting polyps into pieces and attaching to gravel or suitable substrate; faster with increased water movement |
| Compatibility | Semi-aggressive; mild sting; can be placed in direct contact with other Ricordea mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
Ricordea mushrooms thrive in saltwater aquariums
Ricordea mushrooms, also known as flower mushrooms, are a popular choice for saltwater aquarium owners due to their vibrant colours and ease of care. They are a type of corallimorph, closely associated with stony coral but lacking the stony skeleton for support. Instead, they have a small, round body with short club or berry-shaped tentacles and a flat disk that functions as a foot supporting the oral disk.
Lighting is an important consideration for Ricordea mushrooms, as they normally grow in shallow waters where they are exposed to more light in the wild. A medium to high level of lighting, ranging from 50 to 150 PAR, is recommended to help them develop their vibrant colours. However, it is important to note that strong lighting and water flow can cause them to detach and float to a more suitable location within the tank.
In terms of nutrition, Ricordea mushrooms are photosynthetic and obtain the majority of their nutrition from the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae hosted within their body tissues. They also eat smaller invertebrates such as plankton, crustaceans, and brine or mysis shrimp. They have a mild sting and can be placed in direct contact with other Ricordea mushrooms without causing coral warfare. However, it is important to give them space to avoid damaging more delicate corals with their sting.
Overall, Ricordea mushrooms are a colourful and hardy addition to saltwater aquariums, requiring minimal care and offering a unique pop of colour to the reef landscape.
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Ricordea florida and Ricordea yuma are the two species
Ricordea mushrooms are found in a variety of colours, including blues, greens, oranges, pinks, purples, reds, yellows, and tans. They have a unique bubble-like appearance, with round bodies covered in small, bulbous tentacles. They usually grow to about 2 to 3 inches in diameter. They are easy to maintain, preferring low to moderate water flow and low to moderate light. They reproduce and spread quickly, so it is recommended to put them on their own rock separate from the main rock work.
Ricordea florida is native to the Caribbean region, while Ricordea yuma is found in the Indo-Pacific region. They are both exposed to more light in their natural shallow water habitats. Ricordea mushrooms are considered photosynthetic due to the symbiotic zooxanthellae living within their body tissues. This symbiotic relationship provides the mushroom coral with the majority of its nutrition.
Ricordea mushrooms are popular among saltwater aquarium enthusiasts due to their ease of care and vibrant colourations. They are also known as flower mushroom corals or corallimorphs. They have a small, round body with short club or berry-shaped tentacles and a flat disk that functions as a foot supporting the oral disk. They usually have multiple mouths, with the centre pinching and eventually separating into two polyps.
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They are photosynthetic and eat small invertebrates
Ricordea mushrooms are photosynthetic and eat small invertebrates. They are considered photosynthetic due to the symbiotic zooxanthellae living within their body tissues. The single-celled zooxanthellae are responsible for the photosynthetic operations, but they share their sugar (glucose) in exchange for their home. This is thought to provide the mushroom coral with the majority of its nutrition. They are also able to meet all of their energy needs by using aquarium lighting.
Ricordea mushrooms are also able to eat small invertebrates, such as crustaceans and brine or mysis shrimp. They will react to very fine foods, but they won't actually eat them. They will check them out, realise they don't want that food, and then ignore it. They will do better with meatier foods, but it's important to keep the food pieces small.
Ricordea mushrooms are a popular choice for saltwater aquarium enthusiasts due to their ease of keeping and their vibrant colourations. They are considered hardy and have a wide tolerance for lighting conditions. They are also easy to propagate in captivity. They can be cut into several pieces and placed on a gravel substrate with low water flow, and they will attach themselves to the gravel.
Ricordea mushrooms have a unique, roundish body with small, bulbous tentacles and usually grow to be about 2 to 3 inches in diameter. They are found in a variety of colour combinations, including blues, greens, oranges, pinks, purples, reds, yellows, and tans. They are often placed in close proximity to create a carpet-like effect. They are considered semi-aggressive and will cause damage to other corals if they are near or touching them.
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They reproduce by splitting and budding
Ricordea mushrooms, also known as flower mushroom corals, are a popular choice for saltwater aquarium enthusiasts due to their ease of care and vibrant colourations. They are a type of anemone and do not have a calcium carbonate skeleton, so they do not require extreme maintenance of calcium and alkalinity.
Ricordea mushrooms reproduce and spread relatively quickly. They reproduce by splitting and budding. This process is called longitudinal fission. They start developing multiple mouths and a pinch in the centre, eventually separating into two polyps. This is different from other types of mushrooms like Discosoma, which reproduce by pedal laceration. In this case, the coral slowly moves around and leaves behind pieces of its foot, which grow into new mushrooms.
To promote good health and reproduction, it is important to feed your Ricordea mushrooms regularly. They will react to very fine foods but will not eat them. They will only eat meatier foods, and the food pieces should be about half the size of the average Mysis shrimp.
Ricordea mushrooms prefer attaching to rocks and require space to grow and thrive. They are semi-aggressive and will take over everything if they do not have sufficient space. They are photosynthetic and have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, which live within their body tissues. This provides the mushroom with the majority of its nutrition.
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They prefer low to medium water flow
Ricordea mushrooms are a highly desirable addition to saltwater aquariums due to their unique appearance and vibrant colour combinations. They are also relatively easy to care for, making them a popular choice for beginners and experienced aquarists alike.
One important factor to consider when cultivating Ricordea mushrooms is their preference for low to medium water flow. These mushrooms thrive in calm, gentle environments and do not fare well in strong water currents. Strong water movement can cause them to detach from their substrate and float around until they find a more suitable location. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a gentle and steady water flow that mimics their natural environment.
The ideal water flow for Ricordea mushrooms is sufficient to prevent the buildup of detritus without being too forceful. It should be gentle enough to allow the mushrooms to remain firmly attached to their substrate, typically rocks or gravel, without being blown around or folded back on themselves. Striking the right balance with water flow is crucial to creating a harmonious environment for these mushrooms to flourish.
To achieve the desired water flow, it is recommended to place Ricordea mushrooms in an area of the aquarium with low to medium water movement. This can be accomplished by positioning them away from strong water currents generated by filters or powerheads. Additionally, providing adequate space between the mushrooms and other corals can help dissipate water flow, reducing the risk of damaging nearby coral species.
In summary, Ricordea mushrooms thrive in low to medium water flow conditions. By creating a calm and gentle environment, aquarists can promote the healthy growth and development of these captivating mushrooms in their saltwater aquariums.
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Frequently asked questions
Ricordea is a genus of mushroom corals that are popular among saltwater aquarium enthusiasts due to their ease of keeping, unique appearance, and vibrant coloration. They are photosynthetic and can meet their energy needs through aquarium lighting. They are also known to feed on very fine foods and small invertebrates like plankton, crustaceans, and brine or mysis shrimp.
There are two main species of Ricordea: Ricordea florida and Ricordea yuma. Ricordea florida is found in the Caribbean region, while Ricordea yuma is native to the Indo-Pacific region. Ricordea florida is generally easier to care for and exhibits impressive coloration. Ricordea yuma, on the other hand, is more sensitive to water quality and long-term care.
Ricordea prefers moderate to high lighting conditions, typically between 50-150 PAR. They are often found in shallow waters and require sufficient lighting to enhance their coloration. Regarding water flow, Ricordea favours low to moderate water movement. Strong water flow can cause them to detach and float to find a more suitable location.
Ricordea mushrooms can be propagated by cutting individual polyps into several pieces and placing them on a gravel substrate with low water flow. They will naturally attach themselves to the gravel, and you can later super glue them to a suitable substrate like a reef plug. Alternatively, you can encourage them to split on their own by increasing the flow and lighting or feeding them mysis shrimp.
