Ricordea Yuma Care Guide
Ricordea yuma is the Indo-Pacific corallimorph mushroom, prized for vivid colours, hosting zooxanthellae and spreading by marginal budding.
Overview
Ricordea yuma is a corallimorph of the order Corallimorpharia and the only congener of Ricordea florida. It has a large oral disc covered in tentacles that spread out from the centre in a spiral, and a thin body attached by a foot disc. It is notably colourful, including premium morphs sought by collectors.
Taxonomy
- Family: Ricordeidae
- Genus: Ricordea
- Scientific name: Ricordea yuma
- Common synonyms: Pacific Ricordea, Yuma Ricordea
Habitat
The species occurs in tropical Indo-Pacific environments, settling on shallow-water reef flats along the benthic substrate. It is reported to do relatively well in areas of reef degradation and elevated nutrient loads.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Placement: on rockwork; moderate light and gentle flow with stable parameters
Diet
Ricordea yuma obtains nutrients through symbiotic zooxanthellae that photosynthesise, and by feeding on zooplankton and small captured prey such as crustaceans and small fishes.
Reproduction
The coral reproduces sexually and by asexual budding, including marginal budding in which sections of the oral disc margin, with tentacles and a replicated mouth, elongate and detach. It can develop a poorly understood condition called melting syndrome, in which it loses shape and tentacles.