ShroomBehFAQs

FAQs about Corallimorph Behavior

Ricordea brown slime 11/23/14
Hi my name is mike and I just got 2 rocks with neon orange Ricordeas on it they have been in my tank for a couple of days now and when I looked at them today some of them have this brown mucus coming out of there mouth is this normal or is there something I can do to help then
<Mmm; can be "normal" for Corallimorpharians to produce mucus... or not. What else is in this system? How long up and going... water tests? Have you searched on WWM? Bob Fenner>
re: Ricordea brown slime 11/24/14
My ph is low
<......>
and my nitrites are 40 ppm
<No... keep reading. B>
and my phosphates are 0.25 the tank has been up and running 4 months everything else is zeros across the board

Ricordea Florida all "jumping ship"? Old-enough set up, changed lights, added Xeniid... 4/24/13
Hello I have a soft coral reef aquarium where I have had some (when I say some I mean tons) Ricordea florida in. They have been very happy for 3+ years and have created many babies all over the tank as they meandered their way around it. One and a half months ago I got a new Ecoxotic Panorama LED fixture. I started with it set low and slowly increased the light to get everyone hopefully accustomed. All my other soft corals and mushrooms are happy. My Ricordea all appeared content until about 3 days ago... The two "originals" were the first to start. First they made all this mucus at their base and let go. Now all their "kids" are following suit. No water parameters have changed at all. I added a new waving hands Xenia,
<This could be "it", or even the Corallimorpharians>
but it wasn't even near them.
<Doesn't have to be. Chemical allelopathy can be profound, even in a large system>
I have moved the "originals" and a few of their oldest "children" to my refugium to see if they will reattach but seem disinterested.
<Have to be in an entirely different system>
:( Could this still be light stress even though I've had the light over a month and slowly increased the light over the first month I had it?
<Not at all likely the lighting>
Is there some sort of Ricordea mass exodus occurring here?
<Yes; a survival mechanism for cases/circumstances when there's a need to move elsewhere (too much of something or not enough)>
Is the apocalypse at hand and only the Ricordea know?
<Heeeee! A possibility. At their scale and from their "point of view", yes>
Thanks for your help!
<See WWM re Xeniid and 'Shroom compatibility and allelopathy. Bob Fenner>
Re: Ricordea Florida all "jumping ship"? 4/24/13
Thanks for your reply. So would it makes sense then that they were fine
with my pulsing pom/pom Xenia and they are not ok with the waving hands?
<Could be either, both or even neither involved here... "Cascade" events where something happens w/ established systems, mixes of Cnidarian groups are quite common... w/ concurrent winners and losers. BobF>
Re: Ricordea Florida all "jumping ship"? 4/24/13
guess best way is to try removing suspects until one is found. I moved my "original" Ricordeas to my 30G quarantine which luckily is set up right now holding my friend's fish while he moves.
<Ah, good>
So they're at least protected while I use their "children" as guinea pigs... Anything that, other than trying to figure out / remove the "naughty" one, that I can do to help the Ricordea heal/be happy again?
<Oh yes... check, raise RedOx, dose iodide-ate... B<>
Re: Ricordea Florida all "jumping ship"? Teased Shroom beh. (predictable) 5/5/13
So this is weird. I removed the "adult" Ricordea florida and was all set to start trials of removing this and that to figure out who is making everyone mad... and then all the jumping stopped.
<Not weird>
The "adults" reattached to some rubble in the quarantine and now that there hasn't been any jumping for a week I moved them back and everyone appears happy again. Which brings me to a theory that I want to jump off you.
<Okay>
About 2 weeks before it all started there was one big Ricordea near the top of my live rock, I didn't want it there - wanted to put the Xenia there actually, teased it off
<? How?>
and moved it to some rubble in the refugium awaiting gifting to a friend (human not Ricordea friend :P). The cease in jumping also coincides with the gifting away of said naughty Ricordea. Can Ricordea communicate distress to one another and actually stimulate their "kids" to jump ship?
<Of a certainty, yes. Bob Fenner>

yellow Discosoma? -- 07/17/10
Hello Wet Web Crew,
<Wendy>
does the Discosoma come in a color morph that is yellow?
<Yes; though have also seen these artificially dyed>
Many months ago I saw a rock in my LFS which was covered in multiple colors of Discosoma, and I thought that some were yellow. I had not begun keeping corals at the time, so perhaps I was mistaken, but I have read that the yellow pigment of Discosoma is used in scientific research, so maybe?
<Yes>
Can you comment on your experiences with Discosoma coloration, and in addition, do you know if the aquaculture of Discosoma has ever produced new color morphs?
<Don't know re new color morphs, but have seen this genus in blues, greens, purples, reds, tans, browns, oranges to yellow and mixes... Bob Fenner>
Thank you,
Wendy

Loose Polyps, Re: mushroom behavior question, & Zoanthid incomp. -- 03/12/10
Hi Crew!
<<Hiya April!>>
Still loving reading all the info that is on your site!
<<Excellent! Can keep one occupied a while for sure>>
I read and learn every day!
<<Hey'¦me too!>>
The new mushroom is now almost the size of a dime and another is forming.
<<Amazing creatures, eh? Unfortunately this propensity to propagate so easily can often lead to infestations 'unless this is the desired outcome.>>
I have a new question tonight.
<<Okay>>
I closely look into my tank several times a day
<<Ah yes 'why have it otherwise, eh>>
and this morning nothing was amiss. Tonight however there is a polyp of each yellow polyp and Zoanthid laying on the aragonite at the bottom of the tank.
<<Oh?>>
These are both placed on top of my live rock so I am not sure how they would have gotten loose like they are and why both on the same day.
<<Maybe merely coincidental>>
They are not side by side. They are probably about six inches or more apart. Both colonies seem very happy. They are growing and spreading nicely.
<<Maybe a clue 'perhaps the loose polyps are a result of the colonies trying to expand/grow on to adjacent surfaces>>
Here is background so that maybe you can determine if something in my tank caused this to happen.... 29 gallon with about 25lbs of live rock and 40 lbs of aragonite. Inhabitants are one Ocellaris clown and one fire fish. I have a coral banded shrimp, four hermits (red & blue legged) and two snails.
<<The shrimp/crabs may also be players here>>
There is also a spaghetti worm that I have recently discovered.
<<Neat!>>
The levels are 1.024 salinity, KH 240, pH 8.0, nitrite 0, and nitrate 0-5. I can't think of anything that would have severed these polyps and don't want that to continue.
<<May have been the shrimp/crabs 'as eluded to above>>
The polyps on the floor are open and healthy looking.
<<Yes 'amazingly resilient organisms>>
I could scoop them up and put them in a container with limited water movement with some rubble to have them reattach and begin new colonies.
<<Indeed 'and a very common practice>>
What do you suggest?
<<Just as you just stated 'and I see no need to be concerned at present>>
Thank you for all of your advice!! What you do is really appreciated!!
<<Quite welcome 'is our pleasure>>
April
<<Keep reading/learning/enjoying April! Cheers'¦ Eric Russell>>
Re: Loose Polyps -- 03/12/10
Thanks for answering so quickly Eric!
<<Quite welcome April>>
One more thing.
<<Shoot'¦>>
Are they compatible species?
<<The yellow polyps and Zoanthids? Nope'¦ At least not in the sense that they can touch or even be in 'very close' proximity to one another. You can/will find folks who will state to the contrary 'but I assure you they will benefit and do better if given at least a few inches separation >>
Or more clearly ... is it okay for them to attach on the same rock (if they do)?
<<Only if you wish to lock them in mortal combat'¦ It's rarely wise to mix species from the same genus in this manner, much less species from 'differing' genera. If you do some perusing on line you can surely find etailers who offer such mixing of species/genera on the same rock/attachment point 'but in my opinion, with very few exceptions this is folly in the long term. As with most all the organisms associated with reefs, these are very noxious critters who are more than ready and willing to do battle for every inch of available real estate>>
I learned a hard lesson with the striped mushroom and a pulsing xenia. They attached to the same rock and being new to the hobby I didn't realize what was happening to my xenia before it was too late.
<<Indeed>>
Thanks again!!
April
<<Always welcome my friend'¦ EricR>>
R2: Loose Polyps -- 03/13/10
As always great advice!
<<Am pleased you think so>>
I will put in two separate containers with rubble in for them to attach separately.
<<Ah, excellent!>>
Thanks again!!!
April
<<Always a pleasure to assist'¦ EricR>>

Odd "Flower" Coming Out Of Mushroom/Corallimorph Reproduction 12/16/09
Hello and good morning.
<Hello Jeff. I have deleted your last email as it wasn't necessary for a reply.>
I have spent a few days reading through your site, and I am more then impressed. I love the sense of humor that you all seem to have.
<You definitely need a sense of humor to keep you going.>
I have a 20 gallon long with a 10 gallon refugium, housing a few LPS, some shrimps, other crustaceans and a blue damsel. I have 2 65 watt power compacts (full spectrum and actinic) Everything is happy and healthy,
despite having moved the entire system 2 times this year(not my choice)! I found a very oddly shaped mushroom the other day. Its the same specie as all the others around it, and has not to my knowledge been subjected to
anything strange. It resides in the lower part of the tank, medium flow and a little shaded as all the mushrooms seem to thrive when not in direct light(at least in my tank).
It looks like a flower, and its quite unique and I think beautiful! Its almost as if the mushroom is coming out the mouth of larger one. Have you seen anything like this before? What could be going on here? Its changed a little since I took the picture, but still maintains the unique form.
<Jeff, what you are witnessing here is the aftermath of asexual reproduction (via budding) of the specie. This "flower" will soon float off and find a suitable place to anchor. Nice pic by the way.>
Thanks!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Jeff from Seattle

Shrooms. They are just not growing - 10/06/2009
Crew:
<Hey Thomas! JustinN here!>
I have read and read over the site... over and over again. I love it! I looked through all your articles and FAQ on Mushrooms, Corallimorphs and Cnidarians. Good info...
BUT! I can't figure out what's going on with my Shrooms. They are just not growing.
I have had them in the tank for almost 2 years. I currently have them placed up high, down low, in shade, in full light trying to figure out what they like best. None of them seem to be responding super well.
<Are you/have you tried target feeding them? All the Corallimorphs I've had in my care over the years liked something nice and meaty fed to them periodically -- one of my mushrooms has even decided it likes New Life Spectrum pellets!>
My question is could there possibly be a nitrogen deficiency/over-competition?
<Deficiency? Your goal is to eliminate the components of the Nitrogen cycle, so not likely.>
My nitrates always test undetectable.
<This is a good thing>
I can't seem to figure out why the "easiest" inverts are giving me the most trouble. Here's the scoop on my set-up:
The tank has been running over five years, and has been a "reef tank" for over two. I have always used RO/DI water and SeaChem Reef Salt.
<A quality product>
The corals:
Pulsing xenia - doing so well that I almost regret adding it
<They are a bit like a mesmerizing weed, aren't they! :)>
Green star polyps - doing super well
Halimeda - just popped up one day, now it's growing everywhere
<And this is why I love live rock ;)>
Assorted Zoas - doing okay for being under PC's
Red, green striped, green spotted and blue mushrooms
Hammer coral - not growing much, but looks good
The fish:
One Royal Gramma
Two Ocellaris clowns
Two Yellowtail damsels
One Firefish
One Mandarin
One hermit crab
<Sustainability of the Mandarin is questionable -- these consummate 'pod consumers will clean your tank out in no time.>
The set-up:
70 gallon show tank, 60"x22"x12"
100 lbs Fiji and Caribbean live rock
80 lbs live sand
322 watt PC's with half actinic (420nm) and half daylight (10,000k),
replace bulbs annually
<Sounds good to here>
BioWheel 350 with carbon in usually in use
Proquatics 300gph HOT filter filled with coarse foam (great for pods)
Three 150 GPH powerheads
Prizm pro Delux skimmer
<Your BioWheels may be creating/generating more nitrates/nitrites than you know, as this is part of their design -- they're not typically optimal in a reef setup. The skimmer is definitely undersized -- Prizm's are really only 'effective' for about a 40 gallon or so total volume -- and even then, their efficacy is questionable.>
The parameters:
SG 1.025
PH 8.3
Calcium 450ppm
Alk 8-9 dKH
Mag 1350ppm
temp 79 degrees F
Nitrate 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Ammonia 0ppm
Phosphate 0ppm
<Sounds like it should be -- are you certain of these nitrate/nitrite readings? What brand test kits are you using?>
The routine:
12 gallon (18%) water change every 2 weeks
Top off with RO/DI water, with SeaChem reef builder/calcium (on separate days) as needed.
<Is the Reef Builder/calc just added arbitrarily, or based off of a system that involves measurements?>
Is something standing out to you here? It seems normal to me... but then again I'm not the pro...
Thanks for your help!
Sincerely,
Thomas Brown
<For the most part, I would agree, this sounds very normal configuration-wise -- my main thoughts are your bio-media filtration (BioWheel, filter floss in your Proquatics HOT), and a lack of direct feeding. Try giving the mushrooms a nice blast of Mysis shrimp with a small pipette, this may be the missing key here. Good luck! -JustinN>
Re: Corallimorph Growth - 10/06/2009 >Yay! RMF<
<Hey again Thomas! JustinN again! I cleaned up your responses a bit here, to conform to the standards.. I hope you don't mind!>
I use Phytoplex, coral excel, and Zooplex, each individually about twice a week
<All decent products, but not what your Corallimorphs are after. Move to some Mysis and/or a copepod-based food, such as Cyclop-Eeze. These are going to benefit your mushrooms greatly, you should notice a difference quickly.>
He's (the mandarin) been in there almost two years, he's always nice 'n fat too...
<Well, this is excellent -- definitely not the typical end result. Good hands on your part :)>
Should I upgrade to a Remora w/ a MJ1200?
<Would be a worthy upgrade -- definitely far more effective than the Prism.. Do keep in mind, I wouldn't call this essential, since your tank is clearly quite stable -- a 2 year run for a Mandarin is not typical.>
I'm using Aquarium Pharmaceuticals test kits

I measure to maintain calc @450ppm, KH @8-9dKH which typically maintains my pH @8.3
<Sounds good here -- I've just known too many people who come up with some arbitrary number, and add this arbitrary number blindly on a timed basis...
not always a good plan :)>
I'll try feeding Mysis... (keeping the fish from getting them will be the trick!)
<The fish will definitely be getting some -- my usual technique is to feed the fish sporadically while I feed the corals. A small pipette helps immensely with this, allows you to slowly provide the meaty food to the
mushroom. After a few feedings, they'll get more used to it, and will typically start wrapping up a bit as soon as you bring the pipette near -- it gets easier with time. Good luck! -JustinN>

Bleaching Mushroom? 09/14/09
Hello All,
<Good morrow Rebecca>
I have a quick question about a mushroom I have. I noticed it has turned white,
<Wow, I'll say!>
it seems to have changed over night and it has been this way for about 4 weeks now and is doing okay ?
<Corallimorphs are to degrees photosynthetic and capable of eating prey for nutrition...>
I have attached 2 pictures of said mushroom, it look very closed right know but I just did a water change. All the other mushrooms I have are fine and great colors. A little back round info I have a 29 gal bio cube, with 2 clowns, 1 Firefish, 2 Chromis, & 1 watchman gobie,1 cleaner shrimp & an arrow crab. Some snails and hermits. All my water conditions have been fine and I do a water change every 2 weeks.
Thanks for your help.
Rebecca
<Well, "something" has caused this one to lose its Zooxanthellae... Can reincorporate same... Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/shroomhlthfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Weird Pseudocorynactis sp. behavior 9/5/09
Hi folks,
<Roxanne>
I've recently had these Pseudocorynactis pop up all over the rocks in my reef tank. But today, I noticed a new and odd behavior.
<I'll say!>
There is a long two toned "stalk" from the center of the anemone.
<Corallimorph>
As you can see from the attached picture, the white tip seems to have several "hairs" all along it to the end.

Have you ever seen anything like this? Any ideas what it may be doing?
<I have not and don't... the tube portion looks like a leathery tubiculous worm... the "worm" itself? Bizarre. Am going to post on WWM in the hope someone will recognize what this is and chime in. Thank you for sending this along. Bob Fenner>
Thanks,
Roxanne

Re: Weird Pseudocorynactis sp. behavior-- 9/5/09
Just a note........not sure if it has anything to do with this, but I have a very large, healthy feather duster in the tank which was "smoking" but don't recall if it was before or after this event. If memory serves, it was after.
Also, the "worm" comes from the location of the mouth of the Corallimorph. In fact, it appears to *be* the mouth.
<Thank you for this further input... Is (to me!) for sure a mystery! Let's wait, hope not so to someone else. Cheers (and biers), BobF>

Re: oh, and the mystery marine object-- 9/5/09
Hi Bob,
Under the topic "Weird Pseudocorynactis sp. behavior 9/5/09" I do believe that thing is merely a crustacean limb attached to a sticky Cnidarian.
Whether a moult or otherwise cannot say. The segmentation and the setae along the edge seem pretty consistent with an arthropod limb.
Cheers, Neale
<Ahh! A very good "guess" I believe... Was wondering what the object reminded me of. Will forward to the querior, accumulate. BobF>

Closed up mushrooms, allelo.... reading 1/21/09 Hi Guys, <Peter> Very recently I had a couple sets of mushrooms close up into balls or take on a "cup-like" shape. I'm sorry I do not know the name of these, but both sets have a rough surface not smooth, and are green-brown in color. I also have a red mushroom rock and an electric blue mushroom rock that appear to be doing fine. I have checked all the chemical specifications in the tank and everything appears to be in line. <We need the figures...> In this tank I also have xenias, a toadstool and Zoanthids. <Ahh, these could be...> Within the past couple of days I added a Christmas tree coral and a hammer coral. <Ohh!> One note, I noticed a white substance being oozed from the tips of the Christmas tree coral (almost like smoke from a chimney). I went ahead and did a 10 gal water change (65 gal reef tank) and added a bag of carbon. <Good moves> Can you tell me what may be happening. The mushrooms were quite happy before this point. Thanks Peter <In a word, "allelopathy"... you've got a chemical war going on here... Please read: http://wetwebmedia.com/cnidcompppt.htm and the linked files above... Particularly re the groups of Cnidarians Compatibility FAQs of organisms you have here. Bob Fenner>

Mushroom Problem 10/28/08 Hi WWM Crew, Yesterday I noticed that my two mushrooms have shriveled up for no apparent reason. One of them is also starting to be covered in white and bright blue spots. The largest of the two was around 1.5" and is now less than 1/3 of that. The other was about 1/2" and has shriveled up to around 1/3 of its size as well. My water quality is within normal limits and nothing has changed since my last water change 2 weeks ago. I just noticed the heater is broken, but the water temperature never got below 74 degrees. <This is a little chilly for a reef tank (closer to 80F would be better).> Also, the coralline algae on my rocks looks like it is starting to bleach in several places. There is also a whitish algae growing on some of the rocks. It almost looks like little piles of powdered sugar. Several days ago I noticed that one of my Shrooms had 2 bites taken out of it and I have been searching at night to find the culprit, but have not been able to do so. It was still opening up fine until yesterday, however, and I have not noticed any more bites. The mushrooms came as hitchhikers on my live rock and have been in the tank for 2 months. They had been doing well and were even growing until yesterday. I have 2 Ocellaris Clowns, 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , 1 Blue Star Leopard Wrasse, 1 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, and several Blue-leg Hermits. The fish seem to be fine. I have been having a bit of a green algae problem. It keeps covering the glass every couple days, so I clean it every 2-3 days. Any ideas what might be happening to the mushrooms? <What are your water parameters? Salinity, pH, nitrates, etc., etc.?> I don't want to lose them, they are so beautiful! I have attached pics, sorry the one is blurry. Couldn't get it any better with the algae on the glass. Thanks! Ashley <Sorry, I need more info to help, Best, Sara M. Mushroom Problem - Additional Info/Question -10/28/08 Hi WWM Crew, I sent you an e-mail around an hour or so ago regarding my two mushrooms shrinking up. In addition, I just noticed that my (what I believe to be) sponge has lost it's color. <I'm starting to suspect a lighting problem here. When was the last time you changed your bulbs?> It was also a hitchhiker on my live rock. It used to be a nice coral-pink color with dark red spots, and is now almost white with barely visible spots. I have attached before and after pictures. I apologize for the poor quality, it is almost impossible to get good pics in my tank. The after pic is the one with my shrimp in it. I couldn't get him to move... Thanks again. Ashley <Please respond back with more info re calcium levels, alkalinity, etc. (all water parameters). Best,
Sara M.>

Mushroom won't open, reading 3/12/08 Hi I have a 28gal reef aquarium with one 19in 28wat pc half actinic lite, 30 or so pounds of live rock (the bulk of which is base rock) a sea clone 100 protein skimmer (upgrading soon to a remora nano) and a Rena FilStar xp1 is on its way in the mail. My question is this, my tank has finished cycling and a recent water test shows that all systems are go, so assuming that my tank was ready for coral I added a single mushroom polyp which refuses to open up even a little. Is this normal? <... what re water quality?> Should I be worried? Will the mushroom die? I'm totally bugging out and am afraid to add more coral for fear of them doing the same. Please give me some good news so I can stop worrying this is my first tank so my exp is minimal. Thanks in advance! <Read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/index.htm the link to Corals et al., the link there re Corallimorpharians... Systems, Health... Read on. Bob Fenner>

Mushrooms stopped opening 1/11/08 Hello, <Greg> It's been awhile since I've sent in a question because everything has been going well with my tank. However, a new problem cropped up yesterday. I purchased a small rock with about 8 mushrooms on it a few weeks ago. They adapted very quickly and opened fully within a few days and kept opening everyday for weeks. However, yesterday 2 of the mushrooms would not open fully (just barely open). All others continued to open fully. A few theories: 1) I originally placed the rock in an area of very low water flow.? I noticed recently that some film algae began growing in this area, but no other areas of the tank.? Could the mushrooms have experienced too low of water flow and hence began opening less?? <Mmm, yes, one factor> I went ahead and siphoned the algae up and changed the direction of water flow to produce more flow in this area.? All other mushrooms stayed open, but the two problem mushrooms remain mostly closed, it's only been a few hours though.? Will they recover if water flow was too low? <Yes> 2) The light schedule got out of whack about two days ago because I forgot to turn the lights on until late in the evening on two days.? Usually lights go on at 12:00 and off at 8:00 - 10:00.? I have 36 watts of 10,000K and 36 watts of Actinic in a 29 gallon BioCube. <Could be also a factor> 3)Recently had to put my hands in the tank for some maintenance.? I previously had some diluted bleach on my hands the previous day.? So I scrubbed with hand soap and then rinsed/dried thoroughly prior to placing hands in tank.? My hands may have had an extremely faint smell of bleach left, but were thoroughly dry keeping in mind the bleach contact was from the previous day.? Protein skimmer got a little more active for a minute or two, but then settled down.? I have done this before with no problems.? I was running carbon at the time.? Probably over analyzing on this one, but wanted to get feedback. <If you could smell... and detect a change in the skimming... this was a factor> Can't think of anything else.? All other inhabitants are doing fine,? including an open brain coral.? <Its presence also...> One Nassarius snail? does seem to be hiding in the sand more.? No fish in the tank yet.? Any suggestions.? How do I know if the two mushrooms are dead and should I remove them if this happens. <You'll know... they'll turn into a slimy, amorphous mass> Thanks for any direction you could provide. Greg <Read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/shroomhlthfaq2.htm and the linked files above, part. Compatibility. Bob Fenner>

Mushroom Life Span - 09/29/07 Cheers Crew. <Hello again Andy, Mich with you tonight.> This may be a stupid question, but I can't find an answer. I assume that mushrooms, like all living things, must die? <Yes. Generally all cells exhibit apoptosis, or programmed cell death. The exception to this rule is cancer cells, which is why cancer is so difficult to fight.> Is there a known life span for these and/or, <Presumably, though I have never hear an actual number.> like other living things, do they sometime just die early of natural (genetic abnormalities, etc.) causes? <Undoubtedly.> The reason I ask is that I have a beautiful mushroom rock with 8-10 hairy green mushrooms--had it for about 5 months. Over the last three or so days, one of the smaller Shrooms tightened up, lost its neon green color and appears to be slowly melting. <Sounds like some sort of trauma response to me.> The rest of the Shrooms look great, are open, colorful, etc., as are my other Shrooms, tree corals and BTA. My water is good--SPG is 1.025, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate all 0, temp 79*F, pH is 8.2, phosphate is 0.05-.1 (this is new. Has previously always been 0. <You'll want to get that down.> I use RO/DI water, my TDS meter shows 0 ppm, I have 80lbs live rock, aggressive protein skimming, 30g fuge with 4" DSB and Chaeto, and I feed quality foods (Formula One and frozen Mysis and blood worms that I thaw and drain before feeding). I think the reading may have been influenced by BGA that I had disturbed/cleaned from my substrate about 1 hr before testing phosphates). <Could be.> Not sure if any of you experts might know about the life span of Shrooms . . . . <A small mushroom would generally indicate a younger mushroom, so I highly doubt this is a lifespan issue to begin with.> Thanks! <Welcome! Mich> Andy

Mushrooms Problem, Drifting Shrooms 9/27/07 Hullo :) <Hi> I read through the archives regarding mushrooms. Got a few solutions that I have already tried but dint work. Is there any other solution? <Maybe> My mushrooms detach and drift away. I tried holding them in place using a fishing net and had 2 results 1. They stick till the net is on (1-2 weeks) when opened, they detach again within 2-3 days. 2. They area able to wriggle their way out of the net by expanding and contracting. I have read that iodine deficiency can cause them to not stick. So I dosed iodine. But don't to do this a lot as am not yet testing for the levels of Iodine :( I am a bit squeamish about poking them with a toothpick and sorts. Is there any other way? Is there something wrong with my water? <Maybe> One thing to note is that they are fully expanded and only occasional rouges do this drift routine. <In this case this behavior is normal, its one way they reduce crowding and colonize new areas.> No critter harassing them. If it is chemical warfare then all should be affected right? <Not necessarily, some are more resilient than others.> Cheers and Thanks In Advance Ranjith <Welcome> <Chris>
Re: Mushrooms Problem, Drifting Shrooms 9/28/07 Hi, <Hello> Thanks for the response. <Welcome> If this is normal behavior to reduce crowding, then why not sticking back to any other place?? <They will eventually if they like where they land.> You said "Maybe" to many items. Does that mean there is nor other known way to help them attach? <A bit of superglue is often used, although more commonly in true corals, you could try this.> Cheers Ranjith <Chris>

Mushrooms and Behavior - 6/7/07 Hello Joe here. <Hi Joe, Mich here!> First off, great site. Full of knowledge. <Thanks! Glad you like!> I have a mushroom rock consisting of about five dime size mushrooms. Now I have searched the site for an answer but couldn't find one. Yesterday I noticed one mushroom with its filaments coming out, which I did find on this site. <Happens, something likely disturbed it. I wouldn't be overly concerned, especially if it is back to normal today.> Tonight once I turned the lights off I noticed a different mushroom cupping under itself almost balled up with its mouth open. Any ideas? Reproducing? Sick? <Possibly eating. Again, not a cause for alarm.> It's a 3-gallon reef, <Yikes! Small! Keep up on the water changes!> 36 w 24hr lighting. I checked the water quality and ph was 8.4 where it remains usually no drop at night. Sg at 1.024 , Alk at 11, Cal at 320, 0 on nitrate, nitrite and Phos. Flow is provided with an AC 20 and stock filter. lighting at 12 hour. Daylight 14 hour actinic. Any ideas. Thanks Joe <Welcome! Mich>

Mushroom: Parasite or Insides? Insides 4/11/07 Hello Crew, <Hi Jason, Mich here.> I love your site and have found it invaluable in my education about the saltwater hobby. <Excellent! Education is a large part of our goals and hopefully part of your goals as well.> My question for you is about my mushrooms. I bought a couple of mushrooms from my LFS. They were loose in their coral tank. When I got them home and attempted to place them on some rubble so they would attach I noticed some maroon frilly clusters with white edges in the base of a mushroom. They spread to the top of the mushroom and then I started to worry. I figured they where some kind of flatworm. <Uhh, no! Do you know what flat worms look like? Finding that out would have been a good first step!> I attempted to remove them with tweezers and an Exacto knife. <Oh no!!!> They were very hard to remove. <Shocker!> They would break up but the main part would hold on. <Uhh, yeah... is attached, belongs there!!!> I did get them all off of the top but not the bottom. They would just come back the next day or so. <A good thing!> Eventually I gave up on the mushroom and pitched it. <A bad thing!> Later I saw the same type of thing inside some of my other mushrooms. I then questioned if they were really part of the mushroom. <Uhh yes!!! Are the innards of the mushroom!!!> Today I looked at the stem of an extended mushroom and saw that they had gotten bigger. I took a picture of it and attached it. I was wondering what your take is on it. <Basically your surgery was about the equivalent of gutting a human and removing a couple of ten feet of intestine, some of the liver, the spleen and maybe a kidney... you know, nothing terribly important... please less mutilation, more edification. For the future, in the hobby and in life in general, before taking such drastic, irreversible measures, wouldn't it be better to determine if what you're attempting to do is really of benefit? Actions without cognition can be harmful to both yourself and those around you.> Thank you,
<Welcome, -Mich
Jason

Ricordea yuma acting odd, for a friend 2/6/07 Hey Crew! Several of my friends and I have purchased the NanoCube24 over the last year, and we have all had various adventures (or misadventures). At the moment, one fellow has had his for a full year, and 4 months ago added some polyps and mushrooms bought from a very reputable internet source which we all have had great service and product from. The mushrooms he bought arrived detached from their substrate, and very unhappy. Over a month, they improved. I was over the other day, and he was very puzzled by his tanks development, and what seems to be some problems. As he has no internet, I will be the middleman/info broker (lets hope I get it all right!) 1. His large neon green Ricordea yuma has taken a strange discolor. It has always been white, with green bulbs. Now, however, half of the whit body has turned a tannish brown, and it is staying partially folded in half all of the time. He also has an orange/peach colored one which has moved itself under the shadow of a ledge, and is now also staying partially folded all of the time. <His lamp/lighting is "getting old"... time to switch out for new> 2. His polyps have begun to act strangely. The large brown button polyps he has placed high in his tank are spending much of their time half closed (meaning that their "cilia" remain tucked up under the rim of the discs, but the flat of the disc is open), and some bleaching/discoloring of the disc is occurring. Their trucks are also turning black. Other polyps of similar type are also remaining closed or partially closed all of time. Simultaneously, his star polyps seem to be spreading, slowly, but spreading. <Mmm, might be something else (in addition...), biomineral and/or alkalinity being off, out of balance> He has used every test <Uhh... not a mind-reader... where are the values?> he could find, and all seems perfect, including light and temp. He has had some of the "knowledgeable" people from a could of LFS come take a look, and they too are baffled, though they say all trace elements are good (I was not there for that, so do not know how they did that). He is on the border of becoming flummoxed, and I can't spell worth a durn, so we turn to y'all for guidance and hopefully a solution. Thank you! Darby <Read re the issues mentioned above on WWM... and Cnidarian, Corallimorpharian Health, Systems... Bob Fenner>

Mushroom Behavior - 2/4/07 Hi, <Hello, Brenda here> I searched your FAQ's about this and couldn't find anything to answer my question so hopefully you can help. <Sure can> I have red and blue mushrooms and during the day when the light is on they are fine, nice coloring and have grown considerably. At night when the light is off they all shrink up to a third of their size during the day? Is this usual at night? If not, what should I look at changing? <This is normal, as with many other corals.> Shawn <Brenda>

Biological filter stability/change of color on some mushrooms 11/14/06 Hi! Wondering just what is needed to damage the biological filter in an established aquarium. For example, if I'm working in the main tank just picking some debris from the sand bed, after I finish I wash my hands and dry them with a towel when I just realized that a power-head is misplaced, I go on and once again remove the top and put my hand inside the tank and re-position the power-head, will the biological filter be compromised because of that, or if my hands are not completely dry and I introduce them into the tank? <Mmm, no> In another question, why would some mushrooms that I recently got changed color from an almost orange color to a more reddish one, could it be because too much or too little light? <Could be... or other aspects/changes in their environment, feeding> My system consist of a 55gal main tank with (4) 65watts 50/50 bulbs alternating during a 12 noon to 8pm span with an overlap from 3 to 5pm) under the main tank a 10gal refugium with a reverse light cycle. <... BobF> Mushrooms 10/16/06 Hi, My question is what is happening to the mush coral when they eject white stringy tentacle? Is it due to water chemistry, lightings or tank mates? <Usually water quality or some other traumatic experience.> <Chris>

QT Tank... Nothing to do with such... Corallimorph beh. let's settle on, no useful info. 7/14/06 I purchased a few red mushrooms the other day. They looked great for a couple days and opened up beautifully. What are some causes that would make them not open up now? <...? Not even a kiss? Where's the rest, or at least some input here? Throw the fishman a data bone will ya?> I have the right lighting and everything in my tank is doing great including other soft corals.( Candy Cane coral and polyps). <Mmm, could be allelopathogenic reaction with these...> Thanks for your help! Nancy <Help yourself. Please start reading here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/corallim.htm and the files linked above... and: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cnidcompfaqs.htm and... Bob Fenner>

Crowded Corallimorph - 05/10/06 I have mushroom leather in my reef tank and last night whilst observing the tank under a moon light I noticed it exuded long white strands/filaments and was able to retract them back. It seems to come more from two areas which almost look like scar tissue. I was amazed to watch this and noticed a Zoanthid colony react by closing up if one of the strands touched a polyp. What are the strands?? <<These are mesenterial filaments...digestive fibers the Corallimorph uses for defense when encroached upon, as may be the case here. Try separating the mushrooms and Zoanthids a bit further apart>> Thanks Marc <<Welcome, EricR>>

Mushroom coloration 8/31/05 Hi Crew, <Hi Friend> About 6 months ago I bought a small rock (3") with two mushrooms , one red and one green. The green was very bright. The red one started stretching its foot and after a while I had two baby reds. The originals grew to the size of a half dollar. Then I went from a standard fluorescent 18 watt to a 50/50 96 watt about 4 months ago. The green lost most of its color but did keep growing the same as the red. I put it in a shaded area but the color did not return. Then about 2 weeks ago the green started stretching its foot. So I decided to cut off the head. The head shrunk to the size of a nickel but it is now a beautiful dark blue green. What gives? It is only two days and it does not look happy but I really like the color. Any way to keep it that way? I also have another loose mushroom that I picked up at an LFS. It is a brownish grey outside and in the middle it turns to light green and then white as if there is a light on. I have it 3 months and it will not stay put. Most of the time it curls up and ends up rolling around. I am surprised it is still alive. Any suggestions? Thanks <Nothing much you can do other than use certain propagation techniques and hold the mushroom down or simply put it in an area of low water circulation. Regarding keeping the proper coloration of your mushrooms there is not much you can do other than simply making sure your water parameters are up to par, your lighting not overly intense and your regular water changing routine on point. Good luck and continue reading/learning! Ali.>

Mushroom Corals 06/08/05 I have a rock with zoo's, mushrooms, and Green Star polyps. My aquarium is ten gallons and has a Coralife 95 watt 50/50 hood installed. My mushrooms open but are never completely flat they look like they have wrinkles on there sides. my Green stars are doing great and are already spreading ! My zoos look all right but only open up fully when the light is turned off. Is my light to powerful ? 9 watts a gallon is really good from what I hear. should I just go with coral and inverts that like a lot of light ? are they photo-shocked ? << Depends on what light they came from. They could be shocked a little. they can look like that right before they split and create buds. I would just monitor them for awhile. If things do not get better then you may have to do a small iodine dip. Do you noticed any white stuff appearing? >> I have 0 on ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. I do weekly water changes and am using instant ocean. My Shrooms also had nice green stripes when I got them, but now the stripes are tan colored. I feed my tank marine snow about once every week and a half. And I also have tried coral Vite. My ph is 8.0 - 8.2 and temp is 79 - 80. I also have a power head for circulation. What am I doing wrong ? <<Just hang in there a bit and see how the colony develops. But do respond if you are seeing white fungus looking stuff in the colony.. Best of Luck EricS >>

Mushrooms 6 August 2004 Hi <Hey Ryan, MacL here with you tonight> I have a question regarding a small colony of about 15 mushrooms I have in my 55 gal tank. For the past month or so they haven't been completely opening and are more or less shriveled up on the rocks. They don't seem to be in eminent danger as they have been that way for some time and they are not falling off the rock but they are not getting any better either. I have looked at all the water parameters and all seem fine. pH stays between 8.1 and 8.3, no detectable NH4, NO2 or NO3. Phosphates are always 0.03 or less. Ca is about 320 and KH is 8.6. They temp usually stays between 78 and 80. <The first thing I thought of was how is your current. Sometimes mushrooms don't like high currents. The second thing was over crowding, cause occasionally when they a group of mushrooms reaches saturation point they will just start closing up and not taking as much room.>It has been up to about 82 as I can't afford a chiller but that was a rare occurrence and it has been within in the previously mentioned range for some time now. I am lighting the tank with 2 65 watt 10000K daylights and 2 65 watt Actinics. The daylights are on for 12 hrs a day and the actinics are on for 14 hrs/day. The mushrooms seem to have little reaction to the light and only open a little bit when the lights come on. I also run carbon in the tank about one week/month so I don't think I have an organic problem. Truly I do need help and any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot and keep up the good work. ~ Ryan

Gorgonian and mushroom problem 8/10/04 Hi all, I am having a problem with the gorgonian. Over a short time, like maybe a couple days, I have noticed some decay of on of the branches and it seems to be spreading. It started with sloughing of the skin and then progressed. Images of this progression are attached for you to see. I don't know what caused it or how to stop it from spreading except to cut off the infected branch. We are also thinking of doing a water change. I have seen the emerald green crab on its branches at night and wonder if it's snacked on one. Please advise. <Very unlikely. I suspect the crab was just exploring. There are much more accessible and tasty things to eat in your tank.> The tank specs are 45gal, 50lbs LR, aragonite fine grained sand, salinity 1.024, pH 8.2, ammonia 0, nitrate/nitrite 0, ca 400ppm, 82F. Bioload is mostly corals: gorgonian, green star polyp, cutting of brown star polyp, anthelia-type coral Adam says is really Clavularia with mushroom anemone, candy cane, Zoanthid cluster, mushroom cluster, single mushroom, and a small coral the LFS said was the poisonous p. toxica. The only fish is a green spotted false mandarin (s. picturatus) and looking into setting up a pod refugium for him as well. A peppermint shrimp (feed him shrimp pellets occasionally as concerned he might be eating the mandarin's pods, although I saw him catch and eat a big amphipod in broad daylight!) An emerald crab and a dark purple crab that stowed away in the LR. So not that much, just 8 corals, 1 fish, 2 crabs, 1 shrimp, and a bunch of Turbos. Regarding the mushroom, it's foot seems to be stretched from the left. I thought they divide down the center to reproduce, but could this also be some form of reproduction or just trying to get a better grip? Thanks for your advise, Daphne <The mushroom could be stretching out to bud off a daughter, could be creeping along the rock, etc, but it looks fine. Do keep an eye out for daughters to sprout up! Best Regards. AdamC> Red pimple mushroom 5/5/04 I have two red pimple mushrooms and one healthy green Ricordea in my tank. The red pimple mushrooms did look healthy and were expanding, but all of the sudden they just shrank. One of them is almost white in color now because it is so pale. Is it dead? how do I tell? It is not fully shriveled down to nothing it is just small and pale in color. <Mushrooms can't be counted out until they have melted away to nothing. But, if mushrooms aren't healthy, there is a serious water quality issue.> The green Ricordea is huge though. I cant figure out what happened and if there is hope for it or if I should remove it from the tank. ALSO I cant seem to get the coralline to grow very much. It has grown in the sump but not to much on the rocks. <If you don't test for or supplement calcium and alkalinity, this could be the source of both problems. These are as important as pH and Salinity in reef tanks.> I have emerald crabs, turbo snails, and hermits. Could they be eating the coralline? <Not likely. It simply isn't growing.> I have a fire shrimp how do I tell if it is female or male? I'd like to get another one but I believe they must be kept in pairs or they will fight. <Fire shrimp are hermaphrodites. They have both male and female parts. Any two will form a pair.> I'd like to get the mushrooms to spread over the rocks. I'm going to be getting some red mushrooms soon. Is there a key to getting them to spread in the tank? <Before adding any more animals, figure out the cause of your current problems and correct it. With good water quality and low-moderate light and current, mushrooms will spread rapidly. Best Regards! Adam>

Red Mushrooms 5/3/04 Hi! I'm writing because I purchased a 150 gallon reef aquarium recently and I just noticed that my Red Mushrooms are releasing these little strings of what appear to be air bubbles. Is that normal? If not, what should I do? <Hmmm... Mushrooms often will expel mesenterial filaments, but these look like tiny spaghetti. Occasionally they will expel excess Zooxanthellae. This will look like brown mucousy strands. I suspect one of these two things is occurring. Neither is anything to worry about, but if any other changes occur with your 'Shrooms, please do write back! Best Regards. Adam>

Mushrooms turning white I have a 75 gallon tank with a variety of soft corals (and 13 fish). The mushrooms have been growing and reproducing nicely over the past 5 years, then in the last 9 months, the growth rate slowed and some of the green and brown mushrooms are striating or turning white. What's up? <If the mushrooms are turning white, it's a sure sign that they're losing their Zooxanthellae. However, I cannot say what it is unless you explain your setup to me in great detail! Graham.> Thanks, Russell

Mushroom coral Hi Bob, I have had a brown giant cup mushroom (Amplexidiscus) for 14 months. At full expansion, it is about 7 inches in diameter. A couple of weeks ago, the mouth started to expand. At first I thought that it might die, but now it appears to be almost completely split down the center. I can see some slight white intestinal looking stuff along one edge. The other side appears to be trying to make a new circular shape? I'm not sure if it is reproducing or what. The outer part looks fine other than not being fully expanded. Any comments?? Thanks, Diane. >> Yep, sure does sound like a form of asexual reproduction... splitting, "schizogyny" (neat term, eh?). No worries, just do what you've obviously been: keep up water quality... what was one will be two. Bob Fenner

Detaching Shrooms I have a rock full of metallic green mushrooms. I have had it for a while now, but the problem is that I have noticed that a couple have detached from the rock. what's wrong? is there anyway to reattach them back to a piece of live rock? what should I do? >> Sometimes mushrooms do just do this... may be a type of population-saving mechanism for preventing crowding, aiding in dispersion... You can reattach them... if it's where they want to be, by "tying" the polyp down on to a rock with thread, fine fish line... Do take care not to place these animals too near other stinging-celled life... they look easygoing, but are often "the winners" in physical and chemical contact contests... Bob Fenner

Frilly green mushrooms Hi guys. Hope you're having a great day. Question about my frilly mushrooms. (new purchase) Are the mushrooms 'supposed to look flat on the surface they are on opposed to a ruffled look? Really depends on species mostly... a little to do with light and water flow> I was wondering if I have them too high in the tank. <that depends... are they freshly imported or had they been acclimated to a vendor's tank for some weeks? What kind of lighting did they come from and is your similar. Are they closed up early with your photoperiod indicating excessive light?> My tank is 24 inches deep and they're about 12 inches from the lights. <sounds reasonable... perhaps a little higher than they need to be if you want to leave room for more demanding coral later. Be sure to put coral in a good place and leave them alone. Making a habit of moving coral around often is a good way to kill them> The lights are two 110 pc and twin tube 40 each NO. 300 watts total in 120 gallon tank. One of the mushrooms on the rock is about two inches in diameter and white. It's not slimy looking. Looks just they others except white with slightly green tips. Thanks! <if it turned white after you got it may very well have "bleached" (expelled Zooxanthellae from light, salinity or temperature shock of an abrupt acclimation. Please consider this article: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/acclimcoralslight.htm> -Becky <kindly, Anthony Calfo>
Frilly Green Mushrooms II Thanks for the quick response as usual. <Not really typical anymore as we have lost a large number of emails. Don't know where they went, but we have been getting a lot of replies asking why their question was not answer, only we never saw them.> I think the mushrooms were in the vendors tank about one week. I'm not exactly sure if it bleached after I bought it or not. When I asked the guy at the store to turn the piece around so I could take a better look at it, he dropped it. Then all the mushrooms shrunk up. The lighting in the store was much lower than what I have in my tank. I'm shocked sometimes to see the way people treat sea creatures. <Yes, me too.> I live in Wisconsin and the pet stores that are big enough to carry a good selection of marine animals/life are usually run by some big wig that employs a bunch of 16 year old brats who don't know a thing about what they're touching. <We have the same kind of problems here in Pennsylvania.> The others are so incredibly expensive. Anyways, thank you for the link. It was a very informative read. I have been guilty of moving corals around to find the right lighting. I'll try to keep my hands off of them! Thanks again! -Beck

Please visit our Sponsors