Are you looking for a coral that is both colorful and easy to care for? Well, I have good news for you because Bounce Mushroom Corals have bounced their way into the reef aquarium world and into the hearts of coral lovers all around the world.
Bounce Mushroom Corals are probably one of, if not THE rarest corals you can place in your aquarium reef tank. Not only are they easy to care for and easy to grow, but they also come in a variety of colors to satisfy your hobbyist needs – to put it simply, there is a mushroom coral out there for everyone!
If you know someone that owns a Bounce Mushroom Coral, they will agree that they are a mysterious species of coral… What we do know is that they originate from the Indo-Pacific region, but what we don’t know is exactly how they gain massive polyp tissues that create the bouncy bubble polyps we love.
According to researchers, irregular lighting from advanced aquarium lighting is thought to be the cause. Anyhow, I am sure you would agree after you get your hands on one of these beauties they are a very mysterious coral species.
Summary:
- Common Name: Bounce Mushroom
- Family: Rhodactis
- Origin: Indo-Pacific
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Lighting: Low to Medium (PAR 50 – 150)
- Water Flow: Moderate
- Placement: Bottom
Bounce Mushroom Care
Bounce Mushroom Corals are extremely hardy, making them a perfect choice if you are a beginner, or a great addition to your coral collection if you are a professional hobbyist.
Even though they are not picky and do not require pristine water conditions, Bounce Mushroom Corals still require basic reef tank maintenance and stability to thrive.
Ideal Water Conditions
- Temperature: 76° – 82 °F
- pH: 8.1 – 8.4
- Salinity: 1.023 – 1.025
- Alkalinity: 9 – 11 dKH
- Nitrates: <10 ppm
- Phosphates: <10 ppm
- Calcium: 350 – 450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1250 – 1350
In addition to keeping the above water conditions stable, providing your corals with routine maintenance, such as regular water changes, will help you keep a Bounce Mushroom Coral successfully.
Feeding Your Bounce Mushroom Coral
Rhodactis mushrooms like your Bounce Mushroom Coral are photosynthetic, therefore, feeding and supplementing them is not required. A photosynthetic coral relies on the symbiotic algae that live within their tissues, called zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae provide your Bounce Mushroom Coral with the nutrients needed for growth and survival.
However, if you do decide to feed your coral, always opt for a meaty meal such as Oyster-Feast, but do not worry if they reject this, as they do get a lot of food from the zooxanthellae.
Bounce Mushroom Coral Placement
You should place your Bounce Mushroom Coral at the bottom of your reef tank, so they are not subject to high lighting and strong water movement. As they have “bouncy” polyps, they will do best on the sand bed or the ledge of a rock.
Wherever you place your Bounce Mushroom, you MUST avoid sharp substrates or sharp pieces of rock so they do not get damaged.
In terms of compatibility, your Bounce Mushroom Corals will make great neighbors with aquarium residents. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about your coral being outcompeted or causing chemical warfare.
Bounce Mushroom Coral Lighting & PAR
Rhodactis Mushrooms require lower light, therefore providing your Bounce Mushroom Coral with a PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) value between 50 and 150 will give your coral enough lighting to flourish.
If the lighting is too intense, your Bounce Mushroom Coral will not respond favorably, is likely to bleach, and may develop white scarring from oxide radicals in their tissues.
Bounce Mushroom Coral Water Flow
Although Bounce Mushroom Corals are not fussy, they should be exposed to low to moderate water flow. If the water flow is too strong, it can make your coral stressed and cause health issues.
Different Types Of Bounce Mushroom Corals
When searching for Bounce Mushroom Corals, you are likely to come across these common types:
- Uranium Bounce Mushroom
- Sunkist Bounce Mushroom
- Biohazard Bounce Mushroom
- Neptune Bounce Mushroom
- Gonzo Golden Bounce Mushroom
- Hobbit Bounce Mushroom
- WWC Original Bounce Mushroom
To Finish
You can’t talk about the most beautiful mushroom corals to have in your reef tank without mentioning the Bounce Mushroom Coral.
Bounce Mushroom Corals are a coral that truly captivates reef hobbyists with their ease of care, undoubtedly beautiful colors, and rarity among reef corals. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on a Bounce Mushroom Coral, it will take center stage in your reef tank that’s for sure! For more information on how to take care of these beauties properly, check out our ultimate mushroom coral care guide.
