Hairy Mushroom (Rhodactis indosinensis) Care Guide
Rhodactis indosinensis is a hardy Indo-Pacific mushroom corallimorph with a papillae-covered disc, suited to low-to-moderate light reef tanks.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Rhodactis indosinensis is a mushroom corallimorph belonging to the order Corallimorpharia. Members of the genus Rhodactis form large individual polyps reminiscent of a mushroom, with the oral disc covered in frilly papillae that give the animal a hairy appearance. Although corallimorphs are closely related to stony corals, they do not build a calcareous skeleton. The species is hardy and forgiving, making it a common reef-aquarium invertebrate.
Taxonomy
- Order: Corallimorpharia
- Family: Discosomatidae
- Genus: Rhodactis
- Scientific name: Rhodactis indosinensis
- Authority: Carlgren, 1943
Habitat
The species is native to the Indo-Pacific. Corallimorpharians occur in both temperate and tropical waters but are mostly tropical, with tropical forms characterised by short columns and wide oral discs. On reefs, corallimorphs can spread across the substrate in carpet-like formations and are associated with phase shifts that move a reef from hard-coral toward soft-coral dominance.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 SG
- dKH (carbonate hardness): 8-11
- Lighting: low to moderate
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 5-50 years
Diet
Rhodactis is a zooxanthellate animal: symbiotic algae within its tissue supply most of its energy through photosynthesis, so it is largely photosynthetic and does not require heavy feeding. It also captures particulate food from the water column, and larger specimens are capable of capturing small fish. Occasional supplemental feeding of meaty or filter-feeding foods is sufficient, on the order of once weekly.
Compatibility
The corallimorph is peaceful and considered reef-safe alongside fish and shrimp. Very small fish should be kept away from large specimens, which can capture prey. Butterflyfish, which graze on cnidarian tissue, should be avoided as tankmates.
Reproduction
Corallimorphs reproduce readily, and Rhodactis spreads asexually across the substrate. In the aquarium new polyps form as the colony expands, which makes propagation straightforward.
Rhodactis (Hairy Mushroom) Propagation & Fragging Guide
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.