Soft corals
beginnerMushroom corals
Discosoma / Ricordea / Rhodactis spp.
Quick reference
Min tank size
10 US gal
10 gal nano-friendly. Toughest coral group.
PAR
30–100 µmol/m²/s (Discosoma); 50–150 (Ricordea)
Flow
low
Placement
Low-flow areas, low to mid rockwork. Won't tolerate direct flow.
Temperature
75–82 °F
Salinity
1.024–1.026 SG
pH
8.0–8.4
Alkalinity
7–11 dKH
Calcium
400–450 ppm
Magnesium
1,250–1,400 ppm
Feeding
Photosynthetic. Larger Rhodactis (elephant ears) will catch and eat small fish — don't keep with bristletail fairy wrasses.
Compatibility
Spread aggressively in soft-coral-dominant tanks. Don't mix Discosoma with SPS-focused tanks (it'll outcompete frags).
What kills it
High flow detachment. Sudden lighting change. Pedicelle disease (rare).
Common mistakes
- •Placing under SPS-level lighting — bleaches color.
- •Direct flow — they detach and float.
Equipment & food for this species
Affiliate linksSoft corals don't strictly need feeding. Reef Roids help if you want faster growth.
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Related
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