TankBud

Hairy mushroom

Rhodactis

Also known as Rhodactis Mushroom, Bounce Mushroom, Fuzzy Mushroom, Hairy Mushroom Coral

SaltwaterCoral

Hairy mushroom (Rhodactis)
User:Haplochromis · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Photosynthetic
Difficulty
Beginner
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Discosomidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific reefs

Overview

The hairy mushroom is a sessile, hardy corallimorph for a reef tank, and one of the easiest corals to keep.

Did you know

Sought-after bounce mushrooms are hairy mushrooms selected for pronounced, raised, bubble-like vesicles. At the height of demand, a single well-colored polyp sold for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Caring for the hairy mushroom

Hairy mushrooms are forgiving of variable light and nutrients. They take anything from low light around 75 PAR to moderate-high light near 150 PAR. That range lets them live in both softie tanks and brighter SPS systems.

Give them low to moderate flow. Like other mushrooms, they will detach if blasted directly, so choose a calmer spot on the lower or middle rock.

Keep hairy mushrooms in a tank of at least 11 gal (40 L). Hold the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. They rely mainly on zooxanthellae for energy, but they capture food more readily than Discosoma. Some larger species can even close over and swallow sizeable meaty prey.

They are passive and low sting toward their neighbors, and they are reef safe. They spread by splitting and pedal laceration, and over time they can slowly multiply across a rock.

Good to know

Rhodactis is a genus of corallimorphs in the family Discosomidae, closely related to Discosoma but with more developed tentacles. Short, bumpy tentacles cover the disc and give it a hairy or bubbly look.

In the wild

Hairy mushrooms come from reefs across the Indo-Pacific.

Common questions

What size tank does a hairy mushroom need?

A hairy mushroom needs at least 11 gal (40 L).

What temperature and pH does a hairy mushroom need?

A hairy mushroom is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a hairy mushroom eat?

A hairy mushroom relies mainly on zooxanthellae for its energy. It also captures food readily, and some larger species can swallow sizeable meaty prey.

How big does a hairy mushroom get?

An adult hairy mushroom reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

How does a hairy mushroom breed?

A hairy mushroom reproduces by splitting and by pedal laceration. Over time it can slowly multiply across a rock.

Related species