Ricordea

Ricordea are premium mushroom corals prized for their distinctive bubbly, berry-like texture and vivid colours. Two species are commonly kept: Ricordea florida (Caribbean origin, generally hardier and more affordable) and Ricordea yuma (Indo-Pacific, more demanding but often displaying more spectacular colours). Place them in the mid to lower sections of your tank under moderate PAR (75–150 PAR) with gentle flow. Yuma varieties prefer slightly dimmer conditions than florida. Standard reef parameters apply: alkalinity 7.5–9 dKH, calcium 400–440 ppm, and temperature 25–27°C.

Ricordea yuma can be more sensitive than their florida cousins — they are less tolerant of parameter swings and high nutrients, and can melt if conditions are not to their liking. Start with Ricordea florida if you are new to the genus. Both species benefit from occasional target feeding with fine particulate foods or reef roids, though they are primarily photosynthetic. The bubbly texture and intense fluorescent colours — electric blue, bright orange, rainbow morphs — make Ricordea among the most visually striking mushroom corals, and premium colour combinations command significant collector prices.

Ricordea propagate naturally through mouth splitting and pedal laceration, though more slowly than Discosoma. Fragging can be done by carefully cutting through the oral disc, ensuring each piece retains some of the mouth structure. Place frags in a shallow recovery container with rubble until they attach. Australian coral retailers stock both species, with locally propagated Ricordea florida being particularly good value. Yuma varieties are imported and tend to be pricier but are increasingly available through specialist soft coral vendors.