Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Ricordea spp.
Corynactis bahamensis
Heteranthus floridus
Ricordea florida
Ricordea yuma
Common name
Ricordea Mushroom
Florida Mushroom Coral
Florida corallimorph
Florida false coral
Origin
Origin: South Pacific, Indian Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico
Kind
Kind: Soft coral
Form: the general shape is a flat disc covered with short tentacles with rounded ends. The colors are multiple.
Group
Ricordeidae
Volume
100 L / 22 Imp gal / 26 US gal
Parameters
T°: 23 to 26°C or 73 to 79°F
pH: 8 to 8.5
Density: 1021 to 1024
Difficulty
Easy
Size
5 to 10cm (2 to 4")
Brewing
Low
Lighting
Average
Aggressiveness
Average
Food
How to feed the Ricordea Mushroom?
Food
How to feed the Ricordea Mushroom?
The Ricordea lives in a symbiotic way with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae which it feeds on. However, supplement with food with a pipette directly near the anemone. For example, artemia or zooplankton will be eaten without difficulty.
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Ricordea Mushroom?
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Ricordea Mushroom?
Ricordea florida and Ricordea yuma can be kept in an aquarium but at a distance from each other (count at least 10 cm or 4").
Moving invertebrates particularly appreciate this species. It is not uncommon to find crabs such as Neopetrolisthes maculatus or shrimps such as Thor amboinensis.
Breeding
How to breed the Ricordea Mushroom?
Breeding
How to breed the Ricordea Mushroom?
In natural environment, this species breeds sexually but this is quite rare in aquariums. However, it is very easy to breed this species in captivity. You have several possibilities: by division or by budding (fix them on a rock with specialized glue, avoid nylon thread). In any case, it is a naturally growing species which guarantees you a beautiful expansion from a single foot.
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Ricordea Mushroom?
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Ricordea Mushroom?
This species will find its place very easily in reef aquariums, rather in the lower part of the tank. It is not very demanding regarding water parameters, which makes it a robust species. Nevertheless, it will be necessary to maintain reasonable levels of nitrates, ammonium and phosphates (below 20 ppm). The addition of iodine and trace elements is also recommended.
For lighting, HQI lamps are preferred to fluorescent tubes. Indeed, standard marine aquarium lighting is generally not sufficient to maintain Ricordea fluorescents in the long term. Nevertheless, do not place your feet under too much lighting, but prefer moderate to low light.
The current should not be too strong, otherwise your feet will come off the rocks. Place your Ricordea in a light current.
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Easy to maintain, robust and having multiple aspects, this species is perfectly recommended for beginners who are starting the adventure of the reef aquarium.
The Ricordea differs from the Discosoma in the size of their tentacles, which are much larger.
Ricordeas do not have calcareous skeletons like hard corals.
This strange animal can have up to 6 mouths!
The two best known species are the Ricordea florida (native to the Caribbean) and the Ricordea yuma. Note that R. florida does not have tentacles near the mouth. This species is more difficult to maintain than its cousins despite its undeniable beauty. Ricordea yuma is another species with similar maintenance conditions.
Ricordea florida
Ricordea florida
Ricordea yuma
Ricordea yuma
Yours photos!
By Encyclo-Caro
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