Description: Mushroom corals, also called Corallimorphs or mushroom anemones, are very hardy corals, and one of the best for the beginner reef aquarium. Among one of the best beginner corals, they can even be maintained in aquariums with just sand substrate, live rock, and an airstone for water movement and oxygenation. This is because they will tolerate high levels of nitrate and other organic compounds. They will do even better, and their colors will brighten further, in an aquarium with low levels of organic compounds. Most mushroom coral prefer indirect light or shade so the VHO fluorescent or metal halide lighting is not required. Mushroom corals come in many different colors like blue, red, green, brown, purple and often have stripes, spots, and mottled color variations. A very easy coral to keep, the mushroom coral prefers indirect light from fluorescents and low water current. They will often propagate until they completely cover the substrate upon which they grow
Tech Notes on Mushroom Corals: The symbiotic algae zooxanthellae hosted within the mushroom coral provides the majority of its nutritional requirements from the light driven process of photosynthesis. Mushroom corals will also benefit from regular feedings of zooplankton and small meaty items. Place the mushroom coral low in the aquarium until it opens fully, and then gradually over a few weeks, move the coral to the desired location