Soft corals

beginner

Mushroom 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

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.

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Equipment & food for this species

Soft corals don't strictly need feeding. Reef Roids help if you want faster growth.

CoralRx Pro coral dip

Iodine-based dip. Kills AEFW, red bugs, flatworms.

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Polyplab Reef Roids coral food

Powder coral food. LPS / chalice / Goniopora staple.