TankBud

Umbrella mushroom

Discosoma neglecta

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

SaltwaterCoral

Umbrella mushroom (Discosoma neglecta)

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
Caribbean

Overview

The umbrella mushroom is a Caribbean corallimorph and a good first coral for a reef tank.

Did you know

Most umbrella mushrooms are fluorescent green, brown or a mix of the two. The occasional rainbow colored piece that surfaces in the trade draws real attention from mushroom collectors.

Caring for the umbrella mushroom

Give an umbrella mushroom low to moderate light, around 50 to 100 PAR, and gentle flow. Set it in a shaded spot low in the tank, much like other Discosoma.

Keep it 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. It appreciates some nutrients in the water and tends to sulk in very clean, ultra low nutrient systems.

It draws most of its energy from zooxanthellae, and it also absorbs dissolved nutrients and takes tiny meaty particles. It is peaceful and reef safe. Caribbean mushrooms like this one split and spread noticeably slower than their Pacific cousins, so a colony builds gradually.

Good to know

Discosoma neglecta is a corallimorph in the family Discosomidae, described from the Caribbean in 1860. It was placed for a time in the genus Paradiscosoma. It is one of the larger Caribbean Discosoma, and like its relatives it has no skeleton. When fully open, its disc is wide and convex like an open umbrella, ringed by tongue-like lappets around the margin.

In the wild

The umbrella mushroom wedges its foot into cracks among coral rubble on Caribbean reefs. It favors dim, slow moving water.

Common questions

What size tank does an umbrella mushroom need?

An umbrella mushroom needs at least 11 gal (40 L).

What temperature and pH does an umbrella mushroom need?

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

What does an umbrella mushroom eat?

An umbrella mushroom draws most of its energy from zooxanthellae. It also absorbs dissolved nutrients from the water and takes tiny meaty particles.

How big does an umbrella mushroom get?

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

How does an umbrella mushroom breed?

An umbrella mushroom multiplies by splitting. Like other Caribbean mushrooms, it splits and spreads noticeably slower than Pacific mushrooms, so a colony builds gradually.

Related species