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.
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.