Yuma ricordea
Ricordea yuma
Also known as Ricordea, Yuma Mushroom, Pacific Ricordea Mushroom, Indo-Pacific Ricordea
SaltwaterCoral
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 4.7 in
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 11 gal
- 40 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Photosynthetic
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Ricordeidae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific reef flats and lagoons, from the Philippines and Indonesia across Micronesia
Overview
The Yuma ricordea is an Indo-Pacific corallimorph prized for colors brighter and more varied than those of Ricordea florida. It is best with a little reef experience.
Caring for the Yuma ricordea
Give the Yuma ricordea moderate to fairly strong light, since it colors up best with more light than Ricordea florida needs. Acclimate it gradually rather than placing it straight under intense lighting. Keep the flow low to medium, because strong current keeps the disc from fully extending and can work it loose. Place it low to mid in the tank, on stable rock or rubble.
It is noticeably less forgiving of swings in water quality and lighting than Ricordea florida. Give it a tank of 11 gal (40 L) or more with stable, mature water, rather than a beginner setup. Hold the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.
It relies mainly on zooxanthellae for energy and needs no target feeding. It also takes in fine particulate food, and it will accept fine meaty foods sized to about half a mysis shrimp or smaller.
The Yuma ricordea is passive and low sting, safe to place near most other corals. Propagate it by cutting, or let a polyp split naturally into two. In this longitudinal fission, a polyp develops a second mouth and slowly pinches apart.
Good to know
Ricordea yuma is a corallimorph in the family Ricordeidae. It differs from Ricordea florida in its origin and in its tentacles, which are noticeably denser and larger around the mouth.
In the wild
The Yuma ricordea grows on Indo-Pacific reef flats and lagoons, from the Philippines and Indonesia across Micronesia. It usually lives in shallow, well-lit water.
Common questions
What size tank does a Yuma ricordea need?
A Yuma ricordea needs at least 11 gal (40 L).
What temperature and pH does a Yuma ricordea need?
A Yuma ricordea is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a Yuma ricordea eat?
A Yuma ricordea relies mainly on its zooxanthellae for energy and needs no target feeding. It will also take fine meaty foods, sized to about half a mysis shrimp or smaller.
How big does a Yuma ricordea get?
An adult Yuma ricordea reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
How does a Yuma ricordea breed?
A Yuma ricordea multiplies by longitudinal fission. A polyp develops a second mouth and slowly pinches apart into two.
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