Blue mushroom coral - add or avoid?

credenza · 06/03/2019, 11:28 PM

Hi dear reefing friends,

I have had a fish only tank for more than a year now and recently added a duncan coral and a blue mushroom coral to my tank. Even though both corals are doing very well, I was wondering if I should return my mushroom coral on its frag back to the LFS, as I hear mushroom corals can overtake a tank.

Thoughts?

Also any ideas on adding corals that are peaceful and colorful, if possible?

Thank you!

mcgyvr · 06/04/2019, 06:06 AM

They can...some like that...others don't...
If you don't plan to have a bunch of other coral or want something that may spread and nicely cover up a section then swap it out..

Bpb · 06/04/2019, 07:46 AM

They absolutely can. Adding discosoma mushrooms is my biggest regret I’ve had in the hobby. As a brand new reef keeper it was exciting at first. Not so much now

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Uncle99 · 06/04/2019, 11:23 AM

How bout Scolimya.
Vibrant colours, great extensions, peaceful and easy to keep.

A bit pricy, but colours. Extreme!

Mushrooms take over tanks if you let them.

hkgar · 06/04/2019, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bpb

They absolutely can. Adding discosoma mushrooms is my biggest regret I’ve had in the hobby. As a brand new reef keeper it was exciting at first. Not so much now

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

+!. Loved at first hated in the end. My LFS bought (store credit) them from me and gave me replacement rock lb for lb

MondoBongo · 06/05/2019, 07:02 AM

they can take over a tank, but i still like them.

they're not the worst thing that could go feral in your tank, but let unchecked they could become a pain.

also, it's not like you wake up on day and all of a sudden the tank is full. you'll see them start spreading. if you keep up with them (removing them when you can, kalk pasting them when you can't) you should be able to reasonably control them.

-edit-

a thought occurs. what about ricordia? i don't think they spread as fast, and there are some super cool looking ones of them.

billdogg · 06/08/2019, 10:36 AM

I've got both blue discoma and orange ricordia. IME, they will spread fairly quickly in higher nutrient tanks - either FO or softies. In the relatively lower nutrient tanks like many SPS/LPS reefs, they spread slowly, if at all. The rock of discomas has not spread anywhere regardless of where in the tank I put it. The ricordia have spread out around the tank, but have not really multiplied - they just seem to be more willing to go exploring on the whims of the currents.

monkeysee1 · 06/09/2019, 08:31 PM

Quote:

as I hear mushroom corals can overtake a tank.

.....depends on your lighting! If you have medium lighting they'll take right off and can quickly overpower your tank. They won't grow as fast under low lighting, and too much light will bleach them and make them shrivel up....

06/03/2019, 11:28 PM	#1
credenza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 11	Blue mushroom coral - add or avoid? Hi dear reefing friends, I have had a fish only tank for more than a year now and recently added a duncan coral and a blue mushroom coral to my tank. Even though both corals are doing very well, I was wondering if I should return my mushroom coral on its frag back to the LFS, as I hear mushroom corals can overtake a tank. Thoughts? Also any ideas on adding corals that are peaceful and colorful, if possible? Thank you!

06/04/2019, 06:06 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	They can...some like that...others don't... If you don't plan to have a bunch of other coral or want something that may spread and nicely cover up a section then swap it out.. __________________ Who me?

06/05/2019, 07:02 AM	#6
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	they can take over a tank, but i still like them. they're not the worst thing that could go feral in your tank, but let unchecked they could become a pain. also, it's not like you wake up on day and all of a sudden the tank is full. you'll see them start spreading. if you keep up with them (removing them when you can, kalk pasting them when you can't) you should be able to reasonably control them. -edit- a thought occurs. what about ricordia? i don't think they spread as fast, and there are some super cool looking ones of them. __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.

06/08/2019, 10:36 AM	#7
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I've got both blue discoma and orange ricordia. IME, they will spread fairly quickly in higher nutrient tanks - either FO or softies. In the relatively lower nutrient tanks like many SPS/LPS reefs, they spread slowly, if at all. The rock of discomas has not spread anywhere regardless of where in the tank I put it. The ricordia have spread out around the tank, but have not really multiplied - they just seem to be more willing to go exploring on the whims of the currents. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

06/04/2019, 07:46 AM	#3
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	They absolutely can. Adding discosoma mushrooms is my biggest regret I’ve had in the hobby. As a brand new reef keeper it was exciting at first. Not so much now Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

06/04/2019, 11:23 AM	#4
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	How bout Scolimya. Vibrant colours, great extensions, peaceful and easy to keep. A bit pricy, but colours. Extreme! Mushrooms take over tanks if you let them.