Ricordea Yuma Care Guide
Ricordea yuma is the Indo-Pacific corallimorph mushroom, prized for vivid colours, hosting zooxanthellae and spreading by marginal budding.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
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.
Ricordea yuma (Yuma Ricordea) Propagation & Fragging Guide
Overview
Ricordea yuma is a Pacific ricordea corallimorph, the sole genus alongside the Caribbean Ricordea florida within the family Ricordeidae and order Corallimorpharia. Reef Builders describes it as large and fleshy, covered in round vesicles, with rainbow colours, and reports specimens of three to four inches across and some pushing five to six inches. It is hardy and well established in the trade.
Reproductive Mode
Ricordea yuma reproduces asexually in the hobby. Reef Builders states that it propagates by developing into colonies of multiple polyps, the typical clonal multiplication of corallimorphs. Sexual reproduction in corallimorphs is broadcast and pelagic and is not part of normal aquarium propagation.
Asexual Propagation / Fragging
Because Ricordea grows into polyp colonies, individual polyps can be separated as the colony expands. As with other mushroom corallimorphs, the harder step is reattachment: a freshly separated or cut polyp should be placed onto a small piece of substrate and that substrate glued to a larger rock, allowing the polyp to anchor itself as it heals.
Reef Builders notes that mushroom corallimorphs heal well from cutting and grow quickly thereafter, so dividing an established Ricordea colony is a reliable way to produce new polyps once each cutting is securely seated on rubble.
Conditions for Propagation
Mushroom corallimorphs are kept under medium to low light with minimal flow, and Reef Builders observes that the best polyp extension is reached in near-stagnant water. Low flow also gives loose or freshly divided polyps a chance to settle and attach, improving propagation success.
Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction is broadcast spawning into open water with pelagic larvae, which is not reproduced in closed aquaria. In practice, propagation of Ricordea yuma in the hobby is entirely asexual.