Umbrella Mushroom

Discosoma neglecta

Also known as Umbrella Corallimorph, Paradiscosoma neglecta, Neglecta Mushroom, Caribbean Umbrella Mushroom

SaltwaterCoral

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
Difficulty: Beginner
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Common
Reef safe: Reef safe
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Discosomidae

Overview

Give it low to moderate light around 50 to 100 PAR and gentle flow in a shaded spot low in the tank, much like other Discosoma. It appreciates some nutrients in the water and tends to sulk in very clean, ultra low nutrient systems. Caribbean mushrooms split and spread noticeably slower than their Pacific cousins, so a colony builds gradually.

In the wild

The umbrella mushroom wedges its foot into cracks among coral rubble on Caribbean reefs, favoring dim, slow moving water. When fully open the disc is wide and convex like an open umbrella, ringed by tongue-like lappets around the margin. Most polyps are fluorescent green, brown or a mix of the two.

Good to know

Discosoma neglecta is a corallimorph in the family Discosomidae, described from the Caribbean in 1860 and placed for a time in the genus Paradiscosoma. It is one of the larger Caribbean Discosoma, reaching around 15 cm across. Like its relatives it has no skeleton and draws most of its energy from zooxanthellae, absorbing dissolved nutrients and taking tiny meaty particles as well.

Did you know

Most umbrella mushrooms are plain green or brown, so the occasional rainbow colored piece that surfaces in the trade draws real attention from mushroom collectors.