Michael Davis
Jawbreaker mushrooms are a type of coral mushroom that can be kept in aquariums. They are considered a classic beginner coral and are easy to keep. They are characterised by their yellow hue with hints of orange, which develop red, green, and purple marks over time. The red coloration can start to show as early as 6 months, while the green can take up to 18 months or longer to develop. Jawbreakers are semi-aggressive and require low to moderate lighting and water flow conditions. They are priced at around \$75 and can be purchased from various online vendors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Coral |
| Family | Actinodiscidae / Discosomatidae |
| Water Conditions | 75-80° F; sg 1.024-1.026 (1.025 is ideal); pH 8.1-8.4 Ca 420-440 ppm, Alk 8-9.5 dKH, Mg 1260-1350, Nitrates <10ppm, Phosphates, < .10ppm |
| Lighting Requirements | Low to moderate (PAR 80-250) |
| Water Flow | Low to moderate |
| Aggressiveness | Semi-aggressive |
| Range | Indo-Pacific |
| Colour | Yellow with a hint of orange, with red, green, and purple marks developing over time |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Placement | Bottom half of the aquarium |
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What You'll Learn
Jawbreaker Mushrooms are a type of coral
The care requirements for Jawbreaker mushrooms include maintaining specific water conditions, such as temperature, salinity, pH, and nutrient levels. Providing additions of iodine and ensuring proper levels of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium are crucial for their growth. Lighting and water flow requirements are low to moderate, and they exhibit semi-aggressive behaviour.
One unique characteristic of Jawbreaker mushrooms is their colour development over time. While the primary colours are orange and red, with yellow as a baby mushroom, green and purple hues may develop as the mushroom matures. This colour development can take a significant amount of time, with red appearing as early as 6 months and green taking up to 3 years or more to fully manifest.
In terms of pricing, Jawbreaker mushrooms can vary in cost depending on the source and the specific lineage. They are typically more affordable than other types of corals, with prices ranging from \$75 to \$225. However, some sources mention prices as high as \$200 or more for certain specimens. Overall, Jawbreaker mushrooms make a stunning addition to any aquarium and are a desirable choice for both beginners and experienced coral enthusiasts.
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They are a classic beginner coral and are easy to keep
Jawbreaker mushrooms are a classic beginner coral and are easy to keep. They are a great coral to start out with, although they may not be perfect as a first coral. As your tank matures, this coral will likely be a great option for you. They are not true corals, but corallimorphs, which means they share traits with corals and anemones but are distinctive enough to have their own classification.
Jawbreakers are easy to care for and require low to moderate lighting and water flow. They are semi-aggressive and their water conditions should be maintained at 75-80° F; sg 1.024-1.026 (1.025 is ideal); pH 8.1-8.4 Ca 420-440 ppm, Alk 8-9.5 dKH, Mg 1260-1350, Nitrates <10ppm, and Phosphates, < .10ppm. It is important to provide additions of iodine to help them grow, and most good salt mixes will provide this through water changes.
One challenge with Jawbreakers is that they sometimes detach from their rock or frag plug. They cannot be glued, so they must be placed in a small container with rubble rock. Once they attach to the rubble, you can glue the rubble to your aquascape. They can be placed in the bottom half of the aquarium where they can reproduce and expand their colonies over the rock.
Jawbreakers are typically yellow with a hint of orange hue, and they develop red/green/purple marks over time. The colour takes a while to develop, and red and green can take over a year to appear.
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They are semi-aggressive and require low to moderate lighting
Jawbreaker mushrooms are semi-aggressive and require low to moderate lighting. They are a type of mushroom coral, which is a corallimorph, sharing traits with corals and anemones but distinct enough to have their own classification. They are a classic beginner coral and are easy to care for, but they are more delicate than other mushrooms and require some specific care practices.
Lighting requirements for jawbreaker mushrooms are low to moderate, with a PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) range of 80-250. They should be placed in the bottom half of an aquarium or tank in a low-flow and medium-light section. It is recommended to get them to attach to a little rubble first and then set them in the desired location. If you are having trouble getting them to stick, you can try using a cup or small basket with rubble inside to protect them from any flow initially.
Jawbreaker mushrooms are semi-aggressive, which means they may move around your tank or aquarium. They can sometimes detach from their rock or frag plug, so it is important to place them in a small container with rubble rock until they attach securely. Once they have attached to the rubble, you can use IC gel glue or putty to mount them in your aquarium.
Lighting plays a crucial role in the development of jawbreaker mushrooms' distinctive colours. While they typically start as yellow with hints of orange, they develop red, green, and rarely, purple marks over time. The lighting requirements for jawbreaker mushrooms are tailored to enhance these colours as they emerge.
Overall, jawbreaker mushrooms require low to moderate lighting, and their semi-aggressive nature refers to their tendency to move around and detach from their mounting surface. Providing the proper lighting conditions and following the recommended care practices will help ensure the health and vibrant colours of these mushrooms.
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They are delicate and can detach from their rock or frag plug
Jawbreaker mushrooms are a type of coral that can be kept in home aquariums. They are a classic beginner coral and are easy to care for. They are characterised by their yellow and orange hues, which develop red, green, and purple marks over time. They are also known as Mystery Tie-Dye mushrooms.
Jawbreaker mushrooms are delicate and can detach from their rock or frag plug. This is because they do not always stay put in a tank. To prevent this, it is recommended to get them to attach to a little bit of rubble first and then set them in a low-flow and medium-light section of the tank. If you are having trouble getting them to stick, you can try putting the mushroom inside a cup or small basket with rubble inside to protect it from any flow. If the mushroom detaches, you can place it back in the container with rubble and try again.
It is important to note that you cannot glue mushrooms, so once they have attached to some rubble, you can then glue the rubble to your aquascape using IC gel glue or putty. This will help to keep them in place and prevent them from detaching.
In addition to their delicate nature, Jawbreaker mushrooms also require specific water conditions to thrive. The water temperature should be maintained between 75-80° F, with a specific gravity of 1.024-1.026 (ideally 1.025) and a pH of 8.1-8.4. Proper calcium (420-440 ppm), alkalinity (8-9.5 dKH), and magnesium levels (1260-1350 ppm) are critical for their health. Regular water changes and phosphate media replacements are also necessary to maintain optimal conditions for Jawbreaker mushrooms.
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They are yellow with hints of orange and develop red, green, and purple marks
Jawbreaker mushrooms are a type of coral mushroom. They are yellow with hints of orange and develop red, green, and purple marks. The mushrooms are called jawbreakers because, as they grow, they take on rich red streaks and, occasionally, green veins. The ""mother" mushroom of a jawbreaker mushroom colony will influence the colour of the "baby" mushrooms, with the babies usually taking on the mother's colour as they grow.
The mushrooms are relatively easy to care for and are a classic beginner coral. They require low to moderate lighting and water flow and semi-aggressive behaviour. They should be kept in water with temperatures of 75-80° F, a pH of 8.1-8.4, and calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium levels of 420-440 ppm, 8-9.5 dKH, and 1260-1350 ppm, respectively. It is important to perform water changes when nitrate levels rise to 10 ppm and replace phosphate media when phosphates rise to .10 ppm.
Jawbreaker mushrooms can be difficult to keep in place in a tank, as they sometimes detach from their rock or frag plug. To mitigate this, they can be placed in a small container with rubble rock until they attach to the rubble, at which point the rubble can be glued to the desired surface in the tank.
The colour of jawbreaker mushrooms takes a while to develop, with red and green taking over a year to appear. The development of purple may take even longer, with some sources suggesting it may take over ten years. The mushrooms are delicate, and people are often hesitant to cut them up.
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Frequently asked questions
Jawbreaker mushrooms are a type of coral that can be kept in an aquarium. They are a classic beginner coral and are easy to keep.
Jawbreakers are typically yellow with a hint of orange. As they grow, they develop red and green streaks, and sometimes purple marks.
Jawbreakers require low to moderate lighting and low to moderate water flow. They are semi-aggressive and should be kept in water that is 75-80° F. It is important to maintain proper calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium levels.
Jawbreaker mushrooms can be purchased from aquarium stores or online retailers such as Vivid Aquariums and Barrier Reef Aquariums.
