Why Mushroom Corals Are a Reefer's Best Friend
Mushroom corals (Order Corallimorpharia) are among the most popular corals in the reef aquarium hobby — and for good reason. They're hardy, colorful, and forgiving of the occasional parameter swing that would stress more sensitive corals. Whether you're setting up your first reef tank or adding a splash of color to a mature system, mushrooms are an excellent choice.
At Lakeside Reefing, we carry a wide selection of premium mushroom corals, including our fan-favorite Ultra Rainbow Yuma Mushroom — a stunning piece that showcases just how vibrant these corals can get.
Water Parameters for Mushroom Corals
Mushrooms are tolerant, but stable parameters will help them thrive and show their best colors:
- Temperature: 76–80°F (24–27°C)
- Salinity: 1.025–1.026 specific gravity
- pH: 8.1–8.3
- Alkalinity (dKH): 8–10 dKH
- Calcium: 380–430 ppm
- Magnesium: 1350–1500 ppm
- Nitrate: 5–20 ppm (mushrooms actually prefer slightly elevated nutrients)
- Phosphate: 0.05–0.1 ppm
Unlike SPS corals, mushrooms don't demand ultra-low nutrients. In fact, ultra-low nutrient systems (ULNS) can cause mushrooms to shrink and lose color. A slightly nutrient-rich environment is perfectly fine.
Lighting Requirements
Mushroom corals are adaptable when it comes to lighting, but they generally prefer low to moderate PAR:
- Ideal PAR range: 50–150 PAR
- Placement: Lower third of the tank, or shaded areas mid-tank
- Spectrum: They do well under most reef lighting spectrums — blues and whites both work
Avoid placing mushrooms directly under intense lighting. High PAR can cause them to shrink, close up, or bleach. If you're running a high-powered LED or T5 setup, place mushrooms on the sandbed or in a shaded rock crevice.
Pro tip: Yuma mushrooms (like our Ultra Rainbow Yuma) tend to prefer slightly lower light than standard Discosoma mushrooms. Start them low and move them up gradually if they look healthy.
Flow and Placement
Mushrooms prefer low to moderate, indirect flow. Strong, direct flow will cause them to close up and potentially detach from their rock.
- Place them where they receive gentle, random flow — not a direct blast from a powerhead
- They'll naturally orient themselves toward light, so give them room to expand (some can reach 4–6 inches across)
- Keep them away from aggressive neighbors like torch corals or hammer corals, which can sting them
Feeding Mushroom Corals
Mushrooms are photosynthetic and get most of their energy from their zooxanthellae, but they can and will eat:
- Broadcast feeding with amino acids or phytoplankton benefits the whole tank
- Target feeding with mysis shrimp, Reef Roids, or Coral Frenzy once or twice a week can accelerate growth
- Turn off flow for 10–15 minutes after target feeding to let them absorb the food
Feeding is optional but will result in faster growth and more vibrant coloration.
Propagation: How Mushrooms Multiply
One of the best things about mushroom corals is how readily they reproduce:
- Natural splitting: Healthy mushrooms will divide on their own over time
- Fragging: You can cut a mushroom in half or into quarters with a clean razor blade — each piece will regenerate into a full polyp within weeks
- Place freshly cut frags in a low-flow container with tank water and rubble rock — they'll attach within a few days
This makes mushrooms a great coral to trade with fellow reefers or sell as frags.
Common Problems and Solutions
- Mushroom is shrunken or closed: Check flow (too high?), lighting (too intense?), or water quality. Also check for pests like Aiptasia nearby.
- Mushroom is moving around the tank: Totally normal — they'll walk until they find a spot they like. Don't fight it.
- Mushroom is losing color: Usually a sign of too much light or too-low nutrients. Move to a shadier spot and consider target feeding.
- Mushroom detached from rock: Place it in a low-flow area on rubble rock — it will reattach on its own.
Shop Our Mushroom Coral Collection
Ready to add some color to your reef? Browse our hand-selected mushroom corals at Lakeside Reefing — including rare Yumas, Ricordeas, and Discosomas.
Looking for frags to get started? Check out our Frags collection for budget-friendly options.