The Orange Glow Discosoma mushroom is a hardy, bright coral for reef tanks. Its neon orange disc and simple care make it ideal for beginners. With the right placement and lighting, this mushroom can quickly become a glowing focal point.
Orange Glow Discosoma Basics and Care Requirements
Orange Glow Discosoma mushrooms are soft corals from the Indo-Pacific. They spread by splitting and forming carpets over rock. One small frag can cover a whole rock in a year under good conditions. Plan their placement carefully so they do not overrun slower corals.
These mushrooms prefer low to moderate light. Aim for 50–120 PAR. Under stronger lighting, start them in shaded areas. Slowly move them brighter over 2–3 weeks. In very high light, they may shrink, pale, or detach from the rock.
They like gentle to moderate flow. Strong, direct flow can cause them to close and detach. Place them on the lower rockwork or even on the sand near a stable rock. Ideal water parameters include 76–80°F temperature, 1.024–1.026 salinity, 8–9 dKH alkalinity, 400–450 ppm calcium, and under 10 ppm nitrate.
Keep phosphate between 0.03–0.1 ppm. Very low nutrients can cause them to shrink and lose color. Very high nutrients can fuel algae that may smother them. Test weekly and adjust feeding or filtration as needed.
- Target 10–20% water changes every 2–4 weeks.
- Use a refractometer to keep salinity stable.
- Avoid sudden swings in temperature or alkalinity.
Placement, Feeding, and Troubleshooting Tips
Place new Orange Glow Discosoma frags on small rubble pieces. You can then glue the rubble to your aquascape. This prevents the mushroom from floating away. Keep at least 2–3 inches of space from aggressive corals with long sweeper tentacles, like some LPS.
These mushrooms host symbiotic zooxanthellae, so they do not require heavy feeding. However, occasional feeding can boost growth and color. Once a week, gently target feed with tiny amounts of reef roids, powdered coral food, or finely chopped mysis. Turn off flow for 10–15 minutes while they feed.
- Feed very small amounts to avoid nutrient spikes.
- Observe response; a healthy mushroom will slightly curl around food.
- Resume flow after 10–15 minutes to prevent film buildup.
Watch for common issues. If the mushroom is shrinking, check light intensity and nutrients. If it bleaches, reduce PAR and increase feeding slightly. If it detaches, place it in a shallow dish with rubble and low flow until it reattaches.
- Quarantine new frags for 2–4 weeks to avoid pests.
- Inspect for nudibranchs, flatworms, and vermetid snails.
- Avoid placing them where large hermits or urchins can knock them loose.
With stable water, gentle light, and careful placement, Orange Glow Discosoma mushrooms will thrive. They reward consistent care with rich color, steady growth, and a vivid orange glow that stands out even under blue reef lighting.
