Ricordia Mushroom
Introduction to Ricordia Mushrooms. The ricordia mushroom coral is somewhat of a contradiction of terms, mainly because it is not a coral at all and is more closely related to the anemone. The natural environment for ricordia mushrooms is the shallow waters of the Caribbean and West Pacific, where they are given easy access to natural light and kept away from the strong currents of deeper waters.
Ricordia Mushroom Basics
Frequently referred to as coral anemones, false corals, and mushrooms, the ricordia mushroom is wildly popular among aqua enthusiasts for a variety of reasons. In general, the ricordia mushroom is extremely hardy, reproduces easily, requires a low level of care, come in a wide array of colors and patterns, and is a cost effective choice for a reef tank.
Ricordia Mushroom Appearance
The appearance of a ricordia mushroom is extremely varied, but most often seen in red, blue, green and purple ricordia mushroom varieties. The body of the ricordia mushroom is flat, without a skeletal system, and covered in short stubby tentacles, usually in contrasting hues of its body coloring. The surface of the ricordia mushroom can be smooth, stubby, fuzzy, or a variety of other textures, with polyps ranging anywhere from one inch to one foot in length.
Acquiring Ricordia Mushrooms
Selecting ricordia mushroom specimens should be done carefully, and should only be chosen when the specimen is completely open. During this state, it is easiest to confirm that the ricordia mushroom does not have dead tissue, or white areas on its surface and body (an indication of disease or sickness). The coloring of the ricordia mushroom specimen should be consistent- extreme contrasts can be an indication that the symbiotic algae is unhealthy.
Environmental Considerations For Ricordia Mushroom
Setting up lighting conditions in the home tank is crucial to ricordia mushroom specimens. The type of lighting will determine the exact placement of the ricordia mushroom- if using fluorescent lights, the coral should be placed closer to the surface, with the opposite for metal halide lighting. Do not underestimate the importance of light- the intense and alluring coloring of ricordia mushrooms depend on this element.
Ricordia Mushroom Semi-Aggressive
Because of the semi-aggressive nature of ricordia mushrooms, it is important to allow for at least three inches of space around the specimen and other live coral and tank mates. Although the ricordia mushroom has its own innate chemical defense system, it can still be injured from other specimens, especially when it comes to stinging-celled tank mates. If you adhere to a minimum amount of space around the ricordia mushroom, these potential altercations should be eliminated.
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