Discosoma coerulea

Blue Mushroom

Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean: East Africa to Central Pacific Ocean.

Natural Environment: Inhabits nutrient rich tidepools and shallow lagoons.

General Husbandry: Common in the trade. Generally has blue surface with a somewhat whitish mouth area.

Tentacles are wart-like or completely absent and there are no surface ribs.

The only species in this genus to stay flat against the substrate.

Requires slow water movement and dim to moderate lighting, preferably indirect lighting.

May accept feedings of microplankton foods, and/or newly hatched brine shrimp.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Corallimorpharia

Family: Discosomatidae

Genus: Discosoma

FYI: Easily propagated from cuttings.

Metallic blues specimens prefer stronger lighting, e.g., >PAR 150

Possibly now placed in the Actinodiscus genus.

Experience Level: Beginner

Diet: Photosynthetic/Absorption of nutrients/ Micro plankton/detritus feeder

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe:Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 72 - 83°F (22 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Lighting: PAR 50 - 150+

Water Movement: WM 1

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.