Candy Stripe Watermelon Discosoma Mushroom Coral

Mushroom Corals – Hardy Beauties for Every Reef Tank

Mushroom Corals are some of the most versatile and beginner-friendly corals in the reef-keeping hobby. Known for their wide, colorful discs and unique textures, these corals can attach to rockwork, spread across surfaces, or even form small colonies, creating a natural, living carpet in your aquarium. Popular types include Ricordea, Discosoma, Rhodactis, and other mushroom varieties, each offering eye-catching colors and patterns that range from neon greens and blues to reds, pinks, and multi-colored designs.

These corals are incredibly hardy, making them ideal for beginners but also enjoyable for experienced reef keepers. Mushroom Corals are adaptable to a variety of aquarium conditions and can thrive under low to moderate lighting and gentle to medium water flow. They gain much of their energy from photosynthesis via their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) but also respond well to supplemental feeding, which can enhance growth, size, and coloration.

Mushrooms are also known for their dynamic personalities—some will expand and contract with the water flow, some will “crawl” slowly across surfaces, and others will display vivid, changing colors under actinic lighting. Their compact size and flexible growth patterns make them perfect for nano aquariums, reef tanks, and mixed coral displays.

At coralSLover®, we proudly offer a curated selection of aquacultured Mushroom Corals, sustainably grown to ensure healthy, vibrant specimens that adapt seamlessly to home reef systems. Whether you’re starting your first reef or adding texture and color to a mature tank, Mushroom Corals bring movement, personality, and lasting beauty to your underwater world.

Care at a Glance – Mushroom Corals

Lighting: Low to moderate lighting is ideal. Mushrooms often display their best colors under lower light conditions and can bleach if exposed to intense lighting too quickly. Gradual acclimation is recommended.

Flow: Low to moderate, indirect flow keeps the surface clean without lifting or damaging the soft tissue. Too much flow can cause mushrooms to detach and drift.

Placement: Best placed on lower rockwork or the substrate, away from high-flow zones. They can spread across rocks over time, making them excellent for filling in open spaces.

Water Quality: Stable, clean water with moderate nutrient levels promotes healthy growth. Mushrooms are generally hardy and tolerant but still benefit from stable parameters.

Feeding: Primarily photosynthetic, though occasional feeding of fine particulate or dissolved foods can boost growth and coloration.

Difficulty: Very beginner friendly — among the hardiest corals, ideal for new reef keepers or low-maintenance systems.

Sustainability: Aquacultured — responsibly grown for long-term aquarium success.