Orange Ricordia

Orange Ricordia Distribution

In nature, the orange ricordia can be found in the shallow waters of the Caribbean and Pacific oceans, where it can take advantage of the warmth from steady access to sunlight.

Although technically a type of soft coral, the orange ricordia is sometimes referred to as a mushroom anemone because of its body composition. The body of an orange ricordia is made up of a single polyp, circular in size, which is covered in a multitude of small, raised bumps. As the name of the orange ricordia suggests, its coloring is made up of monochromatic hues of orange.

 

Orange Ricordia Temperature

In an artificial environment, the orange ricordia generally requires a low to medium level of lighting, which will be crucial in the orange ricordia’s overall growth rate. Water temperature should be kept warm for the orange ricordia- a range of 72F to 84F is frequently recommended.

Orange Ricordia Water Movement

Placement of the orange ricordia should be anywhere along the aquarium bottom, as long as the orange ricordia will be in the path of water movement and current. The orange ricordia depends on steady water flow to deliver various nutrients and trace elements that ensure its overall health. It is absolutely critical that ample space is left around the orange ricordia, which can harm other live coral and specimens if it feels threatened.

Dietary Habits of Orange Ricordia

Thanks to the microscopic algae that the orange ricordia houses underneath its tissue, the orange ricordia has the ability to generate its own nutrients and energy. The algae, zooxanthellae, are photosynthetic and uses natural sunlight to kick start the process of energy production. This does not mean that the orange ricordia will not require additional feedings. Many aquarists are adamant that supplemental feedings are crucial to the overall health and growth rate of the orange ricordia. Suggested food for the orange ricordia include marine snow, zooplankton, phytoplankton, brine shrimp, or other food designed for filter feeding invertebrates.

Reproduction in Orange Ricordia

Although the orange ricordia begins as a single polyp, it is not uncommon for the orange ricordia to split into two separate polyps during reproduction. This process will continue throughout the life of the orange ricordia, ultimately yielding a large number of polyps. Many orange ricordia specimens will multiply so often over the course of the lifetime that they will completely cover the substrate over which it grows.