Florida Ricordea Mushroom Coral are beautiful and fascinating new tenants for your reef aquarium. Florida Ricordea Mushroom Coral are indigenous to the Caribbean region and contrary to popular belief require much more intense aquarium lighting to sustain a vibrant appearance. This coral is closely related to Ricordea Yuma, which is far to the east in the Indo-Pacific region of the world which consequently does poor under intense aquarium lighting. The Ricordea Florida is smaller than its cousin Ricordea Yuma. Florida Ricordea mushrooms appear in a spectrum of colors and different intensities. Unlike its cousin Ricordea Florida, Ricordea Yuma is typically green or orange with a few rare specimens of this live mushroom coral showing deep reds and hot pinks. Even the most vibrant of
Yumas can literally melt away under the same intense aquarium lighting that sustains the Florida. The photo above shows a specimen of Ricordea Florida that I have been cultivating for years, I kept the specimen 2 feet under a 250w metal halide, within 4 inches of the water surface.
Florida Ricordea should live in a reef aquarium for many years. Compatible with all reef fish and most other live coral, care should be taken as it can burn other corals if it makes direct contact. Florida Ricordea feed by photosynthesis, which is the process of converting your aquarium or natural light, carbon dioxide and water into nutrients. The Florida Ricordea Mushroom Coral may also filter feed. Using spirocysts to capture minute particles of food the Ricordea and the disks then push the food into the mouth.
Florida Ricordea are more readily available and less expensive then its eastern relative, Ricordea Yuma. Ricordea Yuma is a more rare and costly mushroom coral than Florida, Discosoma, or Rhodactis. Pictures above are Florida Ricordea mushroom coral 100% cultured at my aquafarm. Working and culturing Florida Ricordea is a fun and exciting challenge. Remember your aquarium lighting will play a critical role in the Ricordea Florida coloration.
24 Jul 2008 at 3:19am
Detroit Science Center (IMAX Dome Theatre): Films at the IMAX, "Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk," "Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs," "Dolphins" and "Coral Reef Adventure." Call for daily times. 5020 John R, Det...
23 Jul 2008 at 1:05pm
Crown-of-thorns starfish, which can devastate coral reefs, are less common in Australian no-fishing zones
21 Jul 2008 at 4:15pm
Marine species show dismal survival rates when the predatory lionfish swim into their ecosystem, an Oregon State University study indicates.The study found when lionfish entered an area, survival rates other reef fish...
23 Jul 2008 at 7:19pm
Jacques Cousteau was a pioneer in the study of marine biology, but new research shows the ocean life he explored could be dead within a few years, says Tim Radford
21 Jul 2008 at 5:06pm
Coral reefs around the world are disappearing and the culprit here is carbon dioxide.
aquarium lighting to sustain a vibrant appearance. This coral is closely related to Ricordea Yuma, which is far to the east in the Indo-Pacific region of the world which consequently does poor under intense aquarium lighting. The Ricordea Florida is smaller than its cousin Ricordea Yuma. Florida Ricordea mushrooms appear in a spectrum of colors and different intensities. Unlike its cousin Ricordea Florida, Ricordea Yuma is typically green or orange with a few rare specimens of this live mushroom coral showing deep reds and hot pinks. Even the most vibrant of 
that I have been cultivating for years, I kept the specimen 2 feet under a 250w metal halide, within 4 inches of the water surface. 
into the mouth. 
