Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Family Discosomatidae

Rhodactis mussoides

(Saville-Kent, 1893)

Elephant Ear Mushroom, Hairy Mushroom

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Central Indo Pacific Ocean to Australia.

Natural Environment: Inhabits reef slopes and reef shallows, sometimes where the nutrient level is more concentrated, i.e., bays, lagoons, and boat channels.

General Husbandry: Sometimes called "Elephant Ear Mushroom Corals" because of their larger size.

Moderate light and currents suit them well!

They can be fed small pieces of fish/shrimp flesh.

Taxonomy:

    Kingdom: Animalia

    Phylum: Cnidaria

    Class: Anthozoa

    Subclass: Hexacorallia

    Order: Corallimorpharia

    Family: Discosomatidae

    Genus: Rhodactis

FYI: Easily propagated from cuttings.

Provide enough space between them and their neighbors!

Experience Level: Beginner

Diet: Photosynthetic/Carnivore/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Slightly aggressive

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe:With caution

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 200 - 300+

Water Movement: WM 1 - 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

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

 Rhodactis mussoides (Elephant Ear Mushroom, Hairy Mushroom)
Photo © Vincent Hargreaves
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