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    Corallimorph (soft)

    Mushroom coral

    Discosoma spp. (corallimorph)

    Also sold as Disc anemone, Shroom

    Mushroom coral (Discosoma spp.)
    Photo: Kevmin, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    Type
    Corallimorph (soft)
    Care level
    Beginner
    Light
    30 to 120 PAR (low)
    Flow
    Low
    With neighbours
    Peaceful

    Safety: handling mushroom coral

    Low hazard; wash hands

    How do you care for mushroom coral?

    Placement

    Low rock, shaded areas, sand-level rock

    Flow

    Low to gentle; blasted mushrooms stay curled typical, check

    Feeding

    Optional; photosynthetic. Feeding speeds growth and splitting typical, check

    Growth

    Moderate; spreads by budding and fission into carpets typical, check

    Water quality

    Prefers some nutrients; one guide suggests nitrate 5 to 15 ppm and phosphate 0.03 to 0.08 ppm and warns ultra-low nutrients shrink them. Too much light shows as curling, bleaching or detaching. typical, check

    How much light does it need?

    Sources put it at about 30 to 120 PAR, measured where the coral sits. Start a new coral at the low end and raise it over weeks.

    One guide 50 to 120, another 30 to 100. typical, check

    Which neighbours are safe?

    Sources disagree: from non-aggressive to mildly aggressive by chemical means and overgrowth typical, check

    At least 5 cm buffer suggested typical, check

    Fish

    Fish known to nip this group of corals, or small enough to be caught by it.

    Take care (4)

    • Coral beautyCoral beauty may nip soft corals, more so when underfed.
    • Flame angelfishFlame angelfish may nip soft corals, more so when underfed.
    • Foxface rabbitfishFoxface rabbitfish may nip soft corals, more so when underfed.
    • Moorish idolMoorish idol may nip soft corals, more so when underfed.

    Other corals

    Corals that can harm this one if placed too close.

    Take care (10)

    • Hammer coralHammer coral stings neighbours up to about 15 cm away at night; keep the mushroom coral out of reach.
    • Frogspawn coralFrogspawn coral stings neighbours; keep the mushroom coral out of reach.
    • Torch coralTorch coral stings neighbours; keep the mushroom coral out of reach.
    • GalaxeaGalaxea stings neighbours up to about 15 cm away at night; keep the mushroom coral out of reach.
    • Horn coralHorn coral stings neighbours; keep the mushroom coral out of reach.
    • Fire coral (not Acropora millepora)Fire coral (not Acropora millepora) stings neighbours; keep the mushroom coral out of reach.
    • Bubble tip anemoneBubble tip anemone stings neighbours; keep the mushroom coral out of reach.
    • Mini maxiMini maxi stings neighbours; keep the mushroom coral out of reach.
    • Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant)Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the mushroom coral out of reach.
    • Ritteri anemoneRitteri anemone stings neighbours; keep the mushroom coral out of reach.

    Invertebrates

    Invertebrates that may nip corals when hungry.

    Take care (3)

    These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

    Pests, dips and quarantine

    Few specific pests; check for aiptasia hitchhikers on rock

    General dip and inspection of the rock it sits on

    No dip reliably kills pest eggs, so a dip lowers the risk rather than removing it. Inspect new frags with a torch after lights out, including the underside and the plug.

    Where sources disagree

    Where sources disagree
    TopicWhat sources sayOur reading
    Light (PAR)
    • One guide 50 to 120, another 30 to 100.
    		We give 30 to 120 PAR. Start a new coral at the low end and raise it slowly.
    Aggression
    • from non-aggressive to mildly aggressive by chemical means and overgrowth
    		Sources differ here, so we give the range and the reasons rather than one number.

    Sources

    1. Gensou mushroom coral guideRead 21 October 2026, search summary only.
    2. Reef Chasers Discosoma guideRead 21 October 2026, search summary only.

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    Zoanthids

    Zoanthus spp.

    Care
    Beginner
    Light
    Low
    Flow
    Medium
    Neighbours
    Spreads or stings mildly

    Photo Kazvorpal, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Palythoa

    Palythoa spp.

    Care
    Beginner
    Light
    Low
    Flow
    Medium
    Neighbours
    Spreads or stings mildly

    Photo Nick Hobgood, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Hairy mushroom

    Rhodactis spp.

    Care
    Beginner
    Light
    Low
    Flow
    Low
    Neighbours
    Spreads or stings mildly

    Photo Haplochromis, Public domain

    Florida ricordea

    Ricordea florida

    Care
    Beginner
    Light
    Low
    Flow
    Low
    Neighbours
    Peaceful

    Photo Nick Hobgood, CC BY-SA 3.0