Blue Ricordea
If you’re contemplating adding a new coral or specimen to a home tank, look no further than the blue ricordea. The blue ricordea makes a vibrant and attractive addition to a home aquarium, and can easily become the centerpiece of the tank in no time at all.
Blue Ricordea a Favorite in the Hobby
What’s most alluring about the blue ricordea is the intensity of its coloring that comes across when underneath the artificial lighting used in the majority of tanks- the varying shades of blue that make up the blue ricordeas body are illuminated and multi-faceted underneath the water. Other benefits to adding a blue ricordeas to a home tank include its low level of maintenance, steady growth rate, and flexibility when it comes to water conditions.
Blue Ricordea Basics
The basics are the blue ricordea are a good stepping stone for becoming more familiar with the coral. Also known as the false coral, mushroom anemone, and flower ricordea mushroom, the blue ricordea is densely populated in the waters of the Pacific, Caribbean, and Indian oceans. The body of the blue ricordea is much more fascinating than its name suggests. While the main coloring is blue, there are an extremely wide variety of blue hues and shades that make up its appearance, colors which are accented by contrasting, raised dots along the blue ricordeas surface.
Blue Ricordea Lighting
When establishing water conditions for the blue ricordea, the water flower should range from low to medium strengths, with the blue ricordea away from the direct path of any jets or power heads. Lighting for the blue ricordea can be varied, including fluorescents or metal halides, as long as the lights give off a medium level of accessible light.
Blue Ricordea Impact on Color
No two blue ricordea will ever be exactly identical, and you will notice that the coloring of the blue ricordea will vary depending on the strength of light in the tank. Many aquarists experiment with lighting levels until they reach a desired appearance of the blue ricordea.
Blue Ricordea Feeding
Like many underwater corals, the blue ricordea house microscopic algae, zooxanthellae, under its tissue. As part of the algae’s symbiotic relationship with the blue ricordea, the algae undergoes photosynthesis which creates all necessary energy and nutrients for the blue ricordea. In captivity however, blue ricordea do enjoy the occasional supplemental feeding. Feeding suggestions for the blue ricordea include micro plankton, fish flesh or small invertebrates (i.e. small crustaceans, brine, or mysis shrimp). It’s important to note that there are differing opinions regarding supplemental or spot feeding of blue ricordea and it is best to do your own research before making a final decision for the specimen in your tank.
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