*Please note These Are Sold Per Leaf/Head*
Rhodactis Mushrooms, often simply called Rhodactis, are a popular choice among reef aquarium enthusiasts due to their vibrant colors and relatively easy care. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding and maintaining these fascinating corals:
Description
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Appearance: Rhodactis Mushrooms have a distinctive, fleshy appearance with a broad, disk-like base and short, stubby tentacles. They can come in a variety of colors, including green, blue, red, orange, and purple, often with contrasting patterns or spots. Their texture is soft and somewhat rubbery, which helps them adapt to various environments.
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Structure: These corals have a single, large polyp that can spread out and cover a significant area. The polyps have a central mouth and can expand or contract based on environmental conditions and light levels.
Care Requirements
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Lighting:
- Intensity: Rhodactis Mushrooms prefer moderate lighting. They can tolerate lower light levels, but moderate light helps them maintain their vibrant colors and healthy growth.
- Type: LED or T5 fluorescent lighting is suitable. A balanced light spectrum that includes both blue and white light is beneficial.
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Water Flow:
- Strength: These mushrooms thrive in low to moderate water flow. They do not require strong currents, which can cause stress or physical damage to their delicate tissues.
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Water Conditions:
- Temperature: Maintain a stable temperature range of 72-78°F (22-26°C).
- Salinity: Keep salinity between 1.023 and 1.025 specific gravity.
- pH: Aim for a pH range of 8.1-8.4.
- Calcium: Maintain calcium levels between 400-450 ppm.
- Alkalinity: Keep alkalinity at 8-12 dKH.
- Nitrates and Phosphates: Rhodactis Mushrooms are relatively tolerant of varying levels of nitrates and phosphates, but maintaining low levels can help prevent algae growth and maintain overall health.
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Feeding:
- Diet: Rhodactis Mushrooms are primarily photosynthetic but can benefit from supplemental feeding. They can capture small plankton and organic particles from the water. You can also feed them finely chopped meaty foods or coral-specific foods.
- Frequency: Feed once or twice a week, adjusting based on the coral’s response and overall tank conditions.
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Placement:
- Position: Place Rhodactis Mushrooms in a stable, secure location where they can receive indirect to moderate light. Ensure they have enough space to expand without being crowded by other corals or tank inhabitants.
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Maintenance:
- Pruning: Regularly inspect the coral for any dead or damaged areas and remove them to prevent disease and maintain overall health.
- Water Quality: Perform regular water changes (10-20% weekly) and monitor water parameters to keep the environment stable.
Additional Tips
- Compatibility: Rhodactis Mushrooms are generally peaceful and can be kept with other non-aggressive corals and fish. However, they can spread and potentially overtake nearby corals if not monitored, so provide adequate space.
- Propagation: Rhodactis Mushrooms can reproduce asexually by budding, where new polyps form from the original coral. They can also be propagated by cutting and attaching pieces of the mushroom to new substrates.
By meeting these care requirements and providing a stable environment, your Rhodactis Mushrooms can thrive and become a vibrant and eye-catching feature in your reef aquarium