Emily Johnson
Mushroom corals are considered one of the easiest types of coral to care for, making them a popular choice for beginner reef-keepers. They are also known for their vibrant colours and unique physical characteristics. When it comes to feeding mushroom corals, they are known to happily accept most fish and coral foods. In the wild, mushroom corals are abundant in near-shore areas with high levels of detritus and particulate material, so they thrive in tanks that receive sufficient food inputs. Some common foods that can be fed to mushroom corals include shrimp, oyster eggs, mysis, and pellets designed for coral feeding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Feeding frequency | Once or twice a week |
| Food type | Mysis, oyster eggs, shrimp, shrimp pellets, squid, spirulina, brine, krill, Golden Pearls, microplankton, meaty food, pellets, Piscine Energetics Mysis, Calanus, Benepets, Fauna Marin LPS Pellets, AquaVitro Fuel |
| Placement in the tank | Middle or bottom of the tank |
| Lighting | Low to moderate |
| Water flow | Low to moderate |
| Water parameters | No specific needs; can tolerate a wide range of water conditions but excessive amounts of phosphates and nitrates are detrimental |
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What You'll Learn
Shrimp, pellets, and custom mixes
Pellets, such as Fauna Marin pellets, are another convenient option. These can be mashed into a powder and sprinkled over the mushrooms, allowing them to quickly consume the food. Some hobbyists also create custom mixes, blending ingredients such as squid, spirulina, and brine to provide a nutritious meal for their mushroom corals.
For smaller mushroom polyps, microscopic food sources such as Golden Pearls are recommended. Additionally, oyster eggs and mysis are suitable food options for mushroom corals. It is worth noting that some mushrooms have better prey capture abilities than others, so it is important to consider the species when deciding on feeding methods and food sizes.
Rhodactis mushrooms, also known as hairy mushrooms, have a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae (zooxanthellae), which provides them with many of their nutrients. However, they can also be fed additional foods, such as microplankton or other foods designed for filter-feeding invertebrates.
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Oyster eggs and mysis
Oyster-Feast™ is a popular food for mushroom corals, which consists of a concentrate of oyster eggs and ovarian tissue. This food provides an excellent nutritional profile and evokes a strong feeding response from the corals. Oyster-Feast™ is a great option to consider when looking for a food to feed your mushroom corals.
Mysis is also a suitable food for mushroom corals. Mysis-Feast is a product that can be purchased and fed to the corals. Mysis is a type of zooplankton, which is a tiny animal that is often consumed by coral.
In addition to Oyster-Feast™ and Mysis-Feast, there are other foods that can be fed to mushroom corals. Some people choose to feed their corals frozen seafood, such as a piece of fish or shrimp. Pellets, such as Fauna Marin pellets, are also an option and can be mashed up and sprinkled over the corals. Some people choose to feed their corals a frozen mix of foods, which may include a small amount of coral frenzy.
It is important to note that mushroom corals do not have specific water parameter needs and rarely depend on calcium or magnesium due to their lack of a skeleton. They can tolerate a wider range of water conditions than other corals, but excessive amounts of phosphates and nitrates are detrimental to their health.
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Golden pearls for Discosoma spp
Discosoma spp., commonly known as "mushroom corals", are a genus of flattened, zooxanthellate corallimorphs that lack peripheral tentacles and are named for their disc-like appearance. They are not true stony corals but represent a link between sea anemones and stony corals. Despite their diversity, desirable corallimorphs generally belong to one of three genera: Discosoma, Rhodactis, or Ricordea.
Discosoma spp. are commonly found in warm waters throughout the Indo-Pacific, Caribbean, and tropical West Atlantic regions, often in the intertidal zone or sheltered reef habitats at conventional SCUBA depths. Their appearance can be variable, but they typically have discal tentacles that are reduced or absent altogether, and they come in a range of colours including red, blue, purple, and green.
The most common species of Discosoma in reef aquariums is Discosoma nummiforme, which has the broadest distribution of any species within its genus. This species is identified by its extremely reduced or absent discal tentacles and variable appearance, ranging from nondescript red and blue varieties to more colourful conspecifics with irregular discal tentacles.
Regarding their care, mushroom corals are generally easy to take care of and are suitable for beginner and advanced hobbyists. They do not have specific water parameter needs and can tolerate a wider range of water conditions than other corals, although excessive amounts of phosphates and nitrates are detrimental. They should be placed in the middle or bottom of the tank, in a low-flow area where their foot can grip a surface for protection.
While some hobbyists report feeding their mushroom corals pellets, frozen seafood, or coral frenzy a few times a week, others suggest that Discosoma spp. do not eat much. It may be that larger or more "premium" specimens eat more, and it is recommended to feed them 2-3 times a week.
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Microplankton for filter-feeding
Mushroom corals are some of the easiest coral to take care of, making them a great choice for beginner reef-keepers. They are nearly indestructible in the right conditions, are not aggressive, and grow quickly. They are also beautiful, with a variety of available colours, and are overall cool. Mushroom corals are actually anemones rather than actual corals.
Mushroom corals have a symbiotic relationship with a photosynthetic algae, known as zooxanthellae, through which they receive many of their nutrients. They also filter-feed on the nutrients in the water column.
If you want to provide your mushroom coral with additional food, microplankton is a great option. Microplankton is ideal for filter-feeding invertebrates like mushroom corals. It can be purchased or acquired from natural sources.
When feeding your mushroom coral microplankton, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to maintain a healthy amount of food in the water. While mushroom corals can capture nutrients from the water, they will thrive when given a sufficient amount of food.
Secondly, it is recommended to feed your mushroom coral a few times a week rather than every day. This allows them to feed aggressively when they receive food and can help keep their appetite strong.
Finally, it is important to note that mushroom corals have varying appetites and food preferences. Some species, like Discosoma, have a very mild appetite and may only accept very fine food, while others, like Yumas and hairy mushrooms, are aggressive eaters that enjoy meaty foods. Therefore, it is essential to observe your mushroom coral's eating habits and adjust the type and amount of microplankton fed accordingly.
Overall, microplankton is an excellent food option for filter-feeding mushroom corals, providing them with the nutrients they need to thrive in your aquarium.
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Meaty foods like seafood and pellets
Meaty foods are a great option for feeding mushroom corals, and seafood and pellets are among their favourites.
For seafood, shrimp is a popular choice. You can offer small pieces of shrimp to the mushrooms, and they will close around the food to trap it. However, be cautious as some mushrooms, like the Discosoma, are very picky eaters and may not accept the food. Other seafood options include squid, spirulina, and brine. You can also provide oyster eggs, which are a great food source for mushrooms.
When it comes to pellets, Fauna Marin pellets are a good option. You can simply crush the pellets with your fingers and let the powder settle onto the mushrooms. This way, they can easily consume the food. Pellets provide a convenient and nutritious option for feeding mushroom corals.
In addition to meaty foods, it is beneficial to supplement their diet with other nutrients. Mushroom corals have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, a photosynthetic algae, which provides them with some of their nutritional needs. However, you can also offer microplankton or other foods designed for filter-feeding invertebrates to ensure they get a well-rounded diet.
Mushroom corals are generally easy to care for and can be a great choice for beginners. They come in a variety of colours and textures, making them a beautiful addition to any aquarium. With their ability to move themselves and their adaptability to lighting and flow conditions, they are a fascinating and low-maintenance option for reef enthusiasts.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom corals are not picky eaters and will happily accept most fish and coral foods. Some good foods to feed them include:
- Microplankton
- Fauna Marin LPS pellets
- Oyster eggs
- Mysis shrimp
- Small pieces of shrimp
- Piscine Energetics Mysis or Calanus
- Golden Pearls
- Iodine
Mushroom corals do not require a specific feeding strategy. They capture nutrients from the water and will do best when supplied with a healthy amount of food. Some owners feed their mushrooms once or twice a week.
One way to feed mushroom corals is to mash pellets in your fingers over the mushrooms and let the powder settle onto them.
If your mushroom coral is not getting enough lighting and/or water movement, it may detach and float around the tank until it finds a more suitable home.
Mushroom corals rarely depend on calcium or magnesium due to the lack of a skeleton. They can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, but excessive amounts of phosphates and nitrates are detrimental.
