Discosoma neglecta (Common Mushroom) Propagation & Fragging Guide

How to propagate the mushroom corallimorph Discosoma neglecta: asexual fission and pedal laceration, deliberate fragging by cutting and reattaching, plus low-flow conditions for healing.

Overview

Discosoma neglecta is a mushroom corallimorph, often called a mushroom anemone but biologically a corallimorpharian. According to Reef Builders, corallimorphs are more closely related to scleractinians and are essentially stony corals without calcium carbonate skeletons. D. neglecta has distinctive marginal lobes and is a hardy, beginner-friendly reef invertebrate that propagates readily in the aquarium.

Reproductive Mode

Like other corallimorphs, D. neglecta reproduces mainly asexually in the hobby. Reef Builders specifically documents asexual reproduction via pedal laceration in Discosoma neglecta and notes that once established Discosoma can spread and multiply quickly. Sexual reproduction in corallimorphs is broadcast and pelagic and is not part of normal hobby propagation.

Asexual Propagation / Fragging

Hobbyists propagate mushrooms deliberately by cutting. Reef Builders reports that Discosoma are among the best corals for a first attempt at coral propagation because they heal well from cutting and grow quickly thereafter. The trickiest aspect is reattaching cuttings, since neither rubber bands nor glue hold them directly.

The recommended method is to place each cutting onto a small piece of substrate and glue that substrate down to a larger piece in the aquarium. The mushroom then attaches itself to the rubble as it heals. Naturally shed pieces from pedal laceration will also settle and form new polyps on their own.

Conditions for Propagation

Reef Builders advises lower light (under about 100 PAR) and minimal water movement, noting that some of the best polyp extension is achieved in near-stagnant water. Low flow also gives dislodged mushroom polyps a chance to settle and attach, which improves the success rate of fragging.

Sexual Reproduction

Sexual reproduction is broadcast spawning into open water with pelagic larvae, which is not replicated in a home aquarium. Effectively all hobby propagation of D. neglecta is asexual.