White Tip Mushroom
(Rhodactis sp.)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Lighting: Moderate
Waterflow: Medium
Placement: Bottom to Middle
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Tan, White
Supplements: Iodine, Trace Elements
Origin: Tonga
Family: Discosomatidae

The White Tip Mushroom originates within the reefs surrounding Tonga. They are a larger species of mushroom attaining a maximum size of about 6″ in diameter. The surface of these mushrooms is hairy in appearance, and is tan in color with bright white tips on each of the vesicles. They are a very hardy species that will multiply rapidly under the right conditions.

It is very easy to maintain in the reef aquarium, and a good choice for the beginner hobbyist. It is somewhat aggressive, however, and can harm sessile invertebrates and overgrow other inhabitants of the reef. They prefer a moderate level of light combined with a medium water movement within the aquarium.

It reproduces by fission or laceration, and will do so in the home aquarium provided that water conditions are adequate, sometimes causing over-population. A small portion of the base or mouth will separate from the parent polyp and grow into a full sized mushroom within a few months.

The symbiotic algae zooxanthellae hosted within its body provide most of its nutritional requirements, but it also feeds upon zooplankton, dissolved organics and particulate matter.

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Red Bullseye Mushroom
(Rhodactis inchoata)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Lighting: Moderate
Waterflow: Medium
Placement: Middle
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Green, Purple, Red
Supplements: Iodine, Trace Elements
Origin: Tonga
Family: Discosomatidae

The Red Bullseye Mushroom from Tonga is a special find in the industry and is red with purple and fluorescent green highlights. Commonly brown or blue and green, Bullseye Mushrooms are seldom imported in this red variety. They are easy to maintain and will add a diversity of color and form to your reef aquarium.

It is very easy to maintain in the reef aquarium and prefers a moderate water movement. Bullseye Mushrooms will adapt to a wide range of lighting conditions, provided they are acclimated properly. Be sure to shade the mushrooms on the bottom of the aquarium until they become used to the new lighting, and especially if using Metal Halides. It is semi-aggressive and requires adequate space between itself and other corals. Longitudinal fission is the primary means of reproduction.

The symbiotic algae zooxanthellae hosted within its body provide the majority of its nutritional requirements through photosynthesis. Its diet may be supplemented with frozen meaty foods of marine origin or zooplankton.

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Giant Cup Mushroom
(Amplexidiscus spp.)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Lighting: Moderate
Waterflow: Low to Medium
Placement: Middle
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Green, Tan
Supplements: Iodine, Trace Elements
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Discosomatidae

The Giant Cup Mushroom is also known as the Giant Disc Anemone, Giant Mushroom Anemone, or Giant Flower Coral, and sometimes the Large Elephant Ear. These corals are typically green in color, but can also have shades of tan and brown, depending on the lighting conditions. The Giant Cup Mushroom grows very rapidly in the aquarium, so adequate space should be allowed for its growth.

It is very easy to maintain in the reef aquarium with a medium light level combined with a low to medium water movement. It can expand to over 12 inches in diameter during the day. It is considered semi-aggressive and requires adequate space between itself and other corals. When a fish brushes against it, it forms a ball around the fish, from which the fish generally cannot escape. Since it eats fish, it is best kept in its own aquarium that has a sandy bottom and large rocks.

If kept in a reef aquarium, it should be fed large meals of Artemia and other plankton-like foods. It also receives some of its nutritional requirements from the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae hosted within its body.

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Elephant Ear Mushroom
(Rhodactis mussoides)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Lighting: Low to Moderate
Waterflow: Low to Medium
Placement: Middle
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Green, Tan
Supplements: Iodine, Trace Elements
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Discosomatidae

The Rhodactis mussoides Elephant Ear Mushroom is a member of the order Corallimorpharia (Stephenson, 1937). It is usually brown or green, with a large wavy surface, a leathery texture, and multiple mouths. It can reach 10 or more inches in diameter.

It is very easy to maintain in the reef aquarium with a low to medium light level combined with a low to medium water movement. It is semi-aggressive and requires adequate space between itself and other corals. It reproduces through longitudinal fission.

The symbiotic algae zooxanthellae hosted within it provide the majority of its nutritional requirements from the light driven process of photosynthesis. It may also eat bacteria.

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Blue Striped Mushroom
(Actinodiscus sp.)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Lighting: Moderate
Waterflow: Low to Medium
Placement: All
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Blue
Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Origin: Indonesia
Family: Actinodiscidae/Discosomatidae

The Blue Striped Mushrooms are also referred to as Mushroom Anemones and Disc Anemones. They were previously in a genus called Discosoma. This variety originates from the reefs of Indonesia, and is blue in color with a striped pattern. Their shape will vary depending on both the water flow, and the amount of light in the aquarium. These mushrooms are very hardy, and make a wonderful addition to any reef aquarium.

The Blue Striped Mushrooms are hardy and relatively easy to maintain, and under the right conditions, will multiply and spread very rapidly. In general, they need a medium light level and a low to medium water flow within the aquarium. They are semi-aggressive and require adequate space between themselves and other corals and sessile invertebrates.

Mushrooms receive a majority of their nutrition from the symbiotic zooxanthellae cells hosted within their bodies. They also feed upon dissolved organics, particulate matter as well as plankton that is present in the water column. They do not require supplemental feeding, but can be fed small pieces of chopped shrimp, fish or other meaty foods.

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