Florida ricordea
Ricordea florida
Also known as Ricordea, Florida Ricordea Mushroom, Ricordea Mushroom
SaltwaterCoral
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 3.1 in
- 8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 11 gal
- 40 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Photosynthetic
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Ricordeidae
- Origin
- Caribbean and western Atlantic, including Florida and the Gulf
Overview
The Florida ricordea is a sessile Caribbean corallimorph prized for its jeweled color. It is easy to keep in the lower part of a reef tank.
Did you know
The tiny fluorescent vesicles covering a Florida ricordea often glow in mixed colors under actinic light. A single disc can show a green mouth ringed by orange or blue nubs, which is why collectors chase specific color combinations.
Caring for the Florida ricordea
Give the Florida ricordea low to moderate light, roughly 50 to 120 PAR. Acclimate it to your lighting gradually rather than putting it straight under intense light. Use gentle, indirect flow that keeps it clean without lifting it off the rock.
Place it low to mid in the tank, on rock or rubble where it can attach. It is easygoing about placement in the calmer lower reef. Keep it in 11 gal (40 L) or more, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.
It relies on zooxanthellae for most of its energy and can also take in fine particulate food. The Florida ricordea is passive, low-sting and reef safe. It reproduces by splitting into new heads, so a colony expands naturally by dividing.
Good to know
Ricordea florida is a corallimorph in the family Ricordeidae, not a true stony coral. Unlike its Indo-Pacific cousin Ricordea yuma, it is an Atlantic species. Much of the Florida ricordea in the trade is still wild-collected, though aquacultured and split frags are increasingly common.
In the wild
The Florida ricordea is native to the Caribbean and the western Atlantic. Its range includes Florida and the Gulf.
Common questions
What size tank does a Florida ricordea need?
A Florida ricordea needs at least 11 gal (40 L).
What temperature and pH does a Florida ricordea need?
A Florida ricordea is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a Florida ricordea eat?
A Florida ricordea relies on zooxanthellae for most of its energy. It can also take in fine particulate food.
How big does a Florida ricordea get?
An adult Florida ricordea reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
How does a Florida ricordea breed?
A Florida ricordea reproduces by splitting into new heads, so a colony expands naturally by dividing.
Related species
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