Mushroom Coral
Discosoma sp.Rüppell & Leuckart, 1828Genus
Mushroom-shaped soft coral in various colors. Hardy and prefers low light and gentle flow. Easy to propagate.

Fluorescence appearance


Coral fluorescent proteins are excited by blue/actinic light. Appearance differs greatly from under white light.
Names & Synonyms
- CommonMushroom Coral
- Commonディスクコーラル
- SynonymActinodiscus
- SynonymDiscostoma
- SynonymPhialactis
Overview
Mushroom corals (family Fungiidae) are disc- or umbrella-shaped solitary corals with radiating septa on their upper surface. Widespread across Indo-Pacific reef slopes and sandy substrates, juveniles attach to hard substrate while adults become free-living and can move across the sand bed—a remarkable behavior unique among stony corals. Colors range from brown and green to pink and red, with individuals reaching 5–30 cm in diameter. They are among the easiest corals to keep, thriving in low to moderate light (50–200 PAR) with gentle flow when placed directly on the sand bed. Regular target feeding accelerates growth.
Care Specifications
| Temperature | 24〜27℃ |
|---|---|
| Specific gravity | 1.023〜1.025 |
| Salinity | 33〜35 ppt |
| KH (carbonate hardness) | 8〜12 dKH |
| Lighting | Low |
| Water flow | Low |
| Placement | Bottom |
Care Points
- Lighting—Low to moderate
- Flow—Prefers gentle flow
- Placement—Lower tank in shaded areas
- Propagation—Reproduces by natural splitting
- Notes—Shrinks under strong light — avoid overexposure
Regulatory & Conservation
- Notes:
- イソギンチャクモドキ目(Discosoma, Corallimorpharia=ディスクコーラル)。CITES 非掲載。
Sources
- AlgaeBarn: Water Parameters 101(careSpec)
- DOC NZ / CITES-listed corals(Corallimorpharia 非掲載)(regulatory)
- Wikipedia(detail)
Related care articles

Mixed-Coral Tank Layout Planning | Co-existence Examples for SPS, LPS, and Soft Corals
When culturing different types of corals in a single tank, understanding each group's ecological niche—including their position in the food chain, light requirements, and water flow needs—and realizing competition avoidance through placement is key to success...

Choosing Substrate for Coral Tanks: Comparing Bare Bottom, Powder Sand, and Live Sand with Maintenance
The choice of substrate for a saltwater coral tank is directly connected not just to appearance but also to water quality management and the ecology of marine life. Here we organize the characteristics of bare bottom, powder sand, and live sand, and the management approach suited to each.

Saltwater Aquarium Quarantine (QT) Systems | Pathogen Management and Setup Methods for New Introductions
Explaining the importance of quarantine (isolation) processes when introducing new corals and organisms, along with practical setup methods. An implementation guide to realize preventative husbandry, from QT tank sizing and feeding to pathogen checking procedures and timing for introduction to the main tank.
Get this species
Buy livestock directly from breeders and specialist shops on BreederDirect (br-choku), our sister marketplace for corals and marine fish.
* Opens an external site (BreederDirect / br-choku, Japanese) in a new tab.