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Mushroom corals are some of the hardiest corals you can keep, and they also come in some of the most striking colours and patterns in the hobby. From inexpensive Discosoma to collector Ricordea and bounce mushrooms, there is a mushroom for every reef tank and every budget. This guide covers lighting, flow, placement, how to stop them wandering and how to propagate them.
Quick facts
| Coral type | Corallimorph (soft, closely related to stony corals and anemones) |
| Care level | Very easy (Discosoma) to moderate (bounce mushrooms) |
| Lighting | Low to moderate, roughly 25 to 100 PAR |
| Flow | Low to moderate |
| Placement | Sand bed, lower rockwork and shaded areas |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive: can sting and shade neighbouring corals |
| Feeding | Optional. Ricordea and larger mushrooms will take small meaty foods |
Types of mushroom coral
Discosoma
Smooth, disc-shaped mushrooms in reds, blues, greens and striped or spotted patterns. They are the easiest mushrooms to keep, and they spread readily in low light.
Rhodactis
Rhodactis have a fuzzy or bumpy surface and include many of the most colourful named varieties. Bounce mushrooms are a Rhodactis covered in bubble-like vesicles. They are prized by collectors and need more stable conditions than other mushrooms.
Ricordea
Ricordea florida come from the Caribbean and are covered in short bubble-shaped tentacles, often with a contrasting mouth. Ricordea yuma come from the Indo-Pacific, show more varied and intense colours, and are a little more demanding. Shop our Ricordea.
Browse the full range in our mushroom corals collection.
Water parameters
- Temperature: 24 to 26°C
- Salinity: 1.025 to 1.026 SG (about 35ppt)
- Alkalinity: 7 to 9 dKH
- Nitrate: 2 to 15ppm
- Phosphate: 0.03 to 0.15ppm
Mushrooms tolerate higher nutrients than most corals, which is one reason they do so well in new tanks. Bounce mushrooms and Ricordea yuma do best with steadier parameters. Our guide on what to test in a reef aquarium covers the basics.
Lighting
Most mushrooms prefer low to moderate light, around 25 to 100 PAR. Too much light is a more common problem than too little. Signs include shrinking, curling, losing colour or the mushroom detaching and drifting off. If you see this, move it lower or into a shaded spot. Ricordea yuma and bounce mushrooms often show their best colour at the higher end of that range. A PAR meter helps you find the right spot.
Flow
Low to moderate flow suits mushrooms best. Strong flow makes them stay small and closed, and may make them let go of the rock and move. A mushroom that inflates and stays flat and open is usually happy with the flow.
Placement
- Keep them contained. Mushrooms can slowly move across the rock and spread over the area. A Charterhouse 3D Mushroom Basket (also available in large) holds them in place and keeps your collection tidy.
- Give them space from other corals. Mushrooms can sting and overshadow slower-growing corals, so keep them a few centimetres away from SPS and LPS.
- Use the shade. Mushrooms are ideal for shaded areas, overhangs and the sand bed, where other corals struggle.
Attaching mushrooms
Mushrooms don't glue well, because they produce a lot of mucus. Instead, try one of these methods:
- Place the mushroom in a mushroom basket and let it attach naturally.
- Put it in a small cup or container with some coral rubble, in low flow, until it attaches to a piece of rubble.
- Hold it gently against the rock with mesh or a rubber band until it attaches, which usually takes one to two weeks.
Feeding
Mushrooms get most of their energy from light, but Ricordea and larger Rhodactis will close around small meaty foods. Feeding once a week with a coral feeder can speed up growth. Browse our coral foods.
Common problems
Mushroom shrinking or not opening
This is usually caused by too much light or flow. Move it lower or into a calmer spot. Check alkalinity and salinity for recent swings as well.
Mushroom detaching and moving
Mushrooms let go and drift away when they're unhappy with the light or flow. Find a spot with less light and flow, and use a mushroom basket to keep it there.
Pests and hitchhikers
Mushrooms are rarely bothered by pests, but always dip new corals before adding them to your display. Use a coral dip such as Seachem Reef Dip and follow our coral dipping guide.
Propagating mushrooms
Mushrooms split naturally, and they also reproduce by leaving small pieces of tissue behind as they move. You can speed this up by cutting a mushroom in half or into quarters through the mouth with a sharp scalpel from our propagation tools. Put the pieces in a container with rubble in low flow until they attach. Each piece usually grows into a new mushroom within a few weeks. See our coral fragging guide for more.
Frequently asked questions
Are mushroom corals good for beginners?
Yes. Discosoma and most Rhodactis are among the easiest corals to keep and are ideal for a first reef tank. See our 12 easiest corals for beginners.
Do mushroom corals need a lot of light?
No. Most do best in low to moderate light and can lose colour or shrink if the light is too strong.
Why is my mushroom coral moving?
Mushrooms move when they're unhappy with the light or flow. Try a shadier, calmer spot, and use a mushroom basket to keep it in place.
What's the difference between Ricordea florida and Ricordea yuma?
Ricordea florida come from the Caribbean, are very hardy and usually show greens and oranges. Ricordea yuma come from the Indo-Pacific, show more varied and intense colours, and need slightly more stable conditions.
Shop mushroom corals
Browse our full range of mushroom corals and Ricordea, including WYSIWYG bounce mushrooms and collector Rhodactis. For more soft coral care, read Soft Corals Explained.
