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[edit] Ricordea florida Difficulty: Easy Light: Medium Aggression: Not aggressive Hardiness: Very Growth Rate: Slow at first, then fast under proper conditions Availability: Common (with many rare color morphs)

Ricordea florida

Introduction

Ricordea Florida are among the easiest of corals to keep and propagate. Extremely hardy and very undemading. They come in a multitude of colors and color combinations. Many specimens have multiple mouths. An excellent choice for beginners and experts alike. A good coral for nano reefs. Ricordea are not true corals and are related to Anenomes.

Common Names

Ricordea, Mushroom Coral, False coral, Mushroom Anenome

Scientific Names

Ricordea florida

Hardiness

Easy

Flow

Prefer a low to moderate flow.

Lighting

Ricordea can be kept under any type of lighting, T5, Power Compact, VHO or Metal Halide. They seem to do their best under Fluorescent lighting under a mixture of 50% 10,000K and 50% Actinic03. Ricordea that are predominantly blue or green prefer lower light levels than do the orange or pink color varieties. Ricordea fluoresce brightly under a Actinic lighting.

Placement

Top, middle, varies, or substrate

Feeding

Obtains much of it's energy from photosynthesis by way of zooxanthellae. It can be fed zooplankton and Artemia.

Propagation

Self propagation by buding is common, As the Ricordea moves away from its original position, usually to reach better light, leaves a small piece of it's base tissue behind. In time a new head or oral disc will grow.

Imposed propagation Radial cuts from the mouth outward toward the edge of the disc with a scapel will force division and a second fully formed polyp will develop over a period of several weeks. Occasionally the incision will heal with no division occuring.

Aggression

Low, medium, high, special notes

Availability

Usually readily available.

Other Issues

No common diseases, No known predators.

   Article originally contributed by Jim Fitzpatrick of The Underground Reef

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