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Coral Guide |  |
Family: Discosomatidae (Mushroom Corals)
Habitat: solitary in deep water, colonial in shallower water
Light: Medium Water Flow: Medium Space: 10+ gal.
Reef Safe: Yes Care Level: Easy Temperament: Aggressive
Diet: photosynthetic , particulates, flocculents, possibly detritus
Natural History: The Rhodactis mushroom grow much larger than other mushroom genera, some attaining sizes of more than 10 inches across. The surface of their mushroom cap is covered with small tentacles (verrucae) or large warty knobs that are radially arranged.
Husbandry: Rhodactis is a very hardy coral. It should not require strong lighting despite the presence of high density zooxanthellae. It prefers moderate water current. It grows to a large size and is capable of a purse-string type of closure behavior. It may inhibit the growth of other corals either by chemical offense or direct competition with nematocysts.
AKA: Elephant Ear Mushroom, Hairy Mushroom, Metallic Mushroom