Rhodactis (Hairy Mushroom) Propagation & Fragging Guide

How to propagate the hairy mushroom corallimorph Rhodactis: asexual reproduction and fragging by cutting and reattaching, with low-flow, moderate-light healing conditions.

Overview

Rhodactis (the record names Rhodactis indosinensis) is a hairy mushroom corallimorph. Wikipedia states that Rhodactis are related to stony corals but do not produce a stony skeleton, placing them in the order Corallimorpharia. Reef Builders describes Rhodactis as having more vesicles and a pseudo-tentacle covering over the disc that makes it appear fuzzy. Larger specimens can capture small fish, and the genus is hardy and forgiving.

Reproductive Mode

As a corallimorph, Rhodactis reproduces mainly asexually in the hobby. Reef Builders groups it with the saltwater shrooms (Discosoma, Ricordea, Rhodactis) that reproduce asexually and spread once established. Sexual reproduction in corallimorphs is broadcast and pelagic and does not occur usefully in the home aquarium.

Asexual Propagation / Fragging

Rhodactis is propagated by the same mushroom fragging approach as Discosoma. Reef Builders explains that shrooms heal well from cutting and grow quickly, but the difficult step is reattachment, since rubber bands and glue do not hold the cut tissue directly.

The reliable technique is to lay each cutting on a small substrate chip and glue that chip onto a larger rock; the mushroom anchors itself as it heals. Pieces released by natural pedal laceration likewise settle and regrow into new polyps.

Conditions for Propagation

Reef Builders recommends medium to low light and minimal flow for shrooms, noting that the best extension comes in near-stagnant water and that low flow gives dislodged polyps a chance to attach. These calm conditions are ideal for letting Rhodactis cuttings heal and anchor.

Sexual Reproduction

Sexual reproduction is broadcast spawning into open water with pelagic larvae, which cannot be completed in a closed system. Practical propagation of Rhodactis in the hobby is therefore asexual.