Mushroom corals, also called corallimorphs, are hardy, colorful soft corals ideal for beginners. They come in many species (notably Discosoma, Rhodactis, and Ricordea) and thrive in a range of tank conditions.
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Basic Profile
Feature Details
Scientific families Discosomatidae, Corallimorphidae
Common names Mushroom coral, disc coral, hairy mushroom, ricordea
Growth form Flat, fleshy polyps that attach to rock surfaces
Behavior Semi-aggressive (can sting neighbors)
Difficulty Easy to moderate
Growth rate Fast in stable conditions
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Tank Requirements
Parameter Recommended Range
Tank size 10+ gallons (nano-safe)
Lighting Low to moderate PAR (50–120)
Flow Low to moderate; gentle, indirect
Temperature 76–82°F (24–28°C)
pH 8.1–8.4
Salinity 1.024–1.026 SG
Alkalinity 8–12 dKH
Calcium 400–450 ppm
Magnesium 1250–1350 ppm
Nitrates <20 ppm (tolerant of moderate nutrients)
Phosphates <0.1 ppm
> Tip: Mushroom corals often prefer slightly "dirtier" water than SPS corals—so they can thrive even when nutrients aren’t ultra-low.
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Lighting & Placement
Low light = richer colors, larger polyps.
Too much light = bleaching or shrinking.
Place them on the sand bed or shaded lower rockwork when introducing to a new tank.
Acclimate to higher light gradually if desired.
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Water Flow
Mushrooms dislike strong, direct currents.
Aim for gentle, variable flow that keeps detritus from settling but doesn’t flap the coral excessively.
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Feeding
While mushrooms can photosynthesize via zooxanthellae, they also benefit from occasional feeding:
Small meaty foods: mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, or reef roids.
Target feed once weekly or let them absorb dissolved nutrients passively.
> Don’t overfeed — uneaten food can cause algae or bacterial growth.
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Propagation
Mushrooms reproduce easily:
Asexually: Splitting or budding new polyps.
Manually: Cut a polyp in half or quarters; attach fragments to rubble in a low-flow area using mesh or glue.
They can spread aggressively, so consider isolating them on separate rocks to prevent takeover.
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Compatibility
Compatible With Avoid
Other soft corals, zoanthids, LPS SPS corals (they can shade/sting them)
Peaceful fish and inverts Coral-eating fish, nudibranchs, or aggressive LPS near them
Mushrooms release mild toxins and may chemically compete with neighbors, so run activated carbon if you keep mixed corals.
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Species Spotlight
Type Notable Traits
Discosoma Flat, smooth surface; hardy; wide color range
Rhodactis (Hairy Mushrooms) Textured, "hairy" appearance; moderate light
Ricordea florida / yuma Bright fluorescent colors, bubble-like texture; moderate care level
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Common Issues
Symptom Likely Cause Fix
Shrinking or detaching Too much flow or light Move to shaded, low-flow area
Bleaching Excessive light or unstable water Reduce light, stabilize parameters
Melting Bacterial infection or poor water quality Improve flow, perform water change
Not expanding Parameter imbalance or chemical warfare Check alkalinity, use carbon
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Quick Summary
Lighting: Low–moderate
Flow: Low–moderate
Feeding: Optional, occasional
Placement: Bottom or shaded areas
Care level: Easy, beginner-friendly
Growth: Fast, can overgrow rock
