Mushroom corals are often the first soft corals reef keepers try, and for good reason. They’re hardy, colorful, and come in a surprising range of shapes and textures. Whether you’re building your first nano reef or adding variety to a mature system, understanding the different mushroom coral varieties helps you choose the right ones for your tank and care style.

Popular Mushroom Coral Types for Reef Tanks

Discosoma (Classic Mushrooms)

Discosoma mushrooms are the “easy mode” of the mushroom world. They come in solid reds, greens, blues, and mixed patterns. These are perfect for new hobbyists and low-maintenance setups.

• Lighting: Low to moderate. Too much light can cause them to shrink or bleach.
• Flow: Low. Strong flow can cause them to detach and wander.
• Placement tip: Start them in shaded or lower rockwork and move them up slowly if needed.

If you’re building a forgiving beginner reef, pair Discosoma with other easy corals covered in our guide to beginner soft corals.

Rhodactis (Hairy & Bullseye Mushrooms)

Rhodactis mushrooms have a textured, “hairy” surface and often display striking color contrasts. Bullseye varieties show a target-like pattern, while others look fluffy and carpet-like.

• Lighting: Low to moderate; they usually color up better with a bit more light than Discosoma.
• Flow: Low to moderate. Gentle, indirect flow keeps them clean without irritating their tissue.
• Feeding: Many Rhodactis respond well to occasional target feeding with small meaty foods.

Some larger Rhodactis can be semi-aggressive and may sting neighbors. Leave a buffer zone around them, especially near LPS and zoas.

Ricordea (Ricordea florida & Ricordea yuma)

Ricordea mushrooms are prized for their bubbly, polyp-covered surface and intense coloration. Ricordea florida typically has a smoother center and is considered hardier, while Ricordea yuma often shows more dramatic textures but can be more sensitive.

• Lighting: Moderate with a gentle ramp-up. Sudden high light can cause melting or bleaching.
• Flow: Low to moderate, swirling rather than direct.
• Placement tip: Mount them on small rubble pieces so you can easily move or trade them later.

For more ideas on where to place Ricordea in your scape, check out our layout tips in aquascaping for reef tanks.

Care Tips for Colorful, Healthy Mushrooms

Across all varieties, mushroom corals tend to prefer stable, slightly “dirtier” water compared with ultra-low nutrient SPS systems. Aim for:

• Parameters: Salinity 1.025–1.026, temperature 77–79°F, alkalinity 8–9 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm.
• Nutrients: Nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.1 ppm to keep colors rich and growth steady.
• Acclimation: Light acclimate slowly using shorter photoperiods or shaded areas.

Practical hobbyist tips:

• Use a small rock “island” to prevent mushrooms from spreading across your main aquascape.
• If a mushroom detaches, place it in a low-flow cup with rubble until it reattaches.
• Run carbon if you keep mushrooms with more sensitive SPS to reduce chemical warfare.

For a deeper dive into tuning your system, see our guide on reef tank water parameters.

Choosing the Right Mushroom Coral for Your Tank

If you’re just starting out, Discosoma and hardy Rhodactis make excellent first choices. For more experienced hobbyists seeking showpiece polyps, Ricordea florida and select Rhodactis varieties can deliver incredible color without the demands of high-end SPS.

By matching each mushroom type to your lighting, flow, and nutrient levels, you’ll enjoy a colorful, low-stress coral garden that grows with your reef. Over time, you can mix varieties to create a living, textured carpet of mushrooms that adds motion and depth to your aquascape.