Blue mushroom coral - add or avoid?

[credenza]

Hi dear reefing friends,

I have had a fish only tank for more than a year now and recently added a duncan coral and a blue mushroom coral to my tank. Even though both corals are doing very well, I was wondering if I should return my mushroom coral on its frag back to the LFS, as I hear mushroom corals can overtake a tank.

Thoughts?

Also any ideas on adding corals that are peaceful and colorful, if possible?


Thank you!

 

[mcgyvr]

They can...some like that...others don't...
If you don't plan to have a bunch of other coral or want something that may spread and nicely cover up a section then swap it out..

 

[Bpb]

They absolutely can. Adding discosoma mushrooms is my biggest regret I've had in the hobby. As a brand new reef keeper it was exciting at first. Not so much now


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[Uncle99]

How bout Scolimya.
Vibrant colours, great extensions, peaceful and easy to keep.

A bit pricy, but colours. Extreme!

Mushrooms take over tanks if you let them.

 

[hkgar]

They absolutely can. Adding discosoma mushrooms is my biggest regret I've had in the hobby. As a brand new reef keeper it was exciting at first. Not so much now


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+!. Loved at first hated in the end. My LFS bought (store credit) them from me and gave me replacement rock lb for lb

 

[MondoBongo]

they can take over a tank, but i still like them.

they're not the worst thing that could go feral in your tank, but let unchecked they could become a pain.

also, it's not like you wake up on day and all of a sudden the tank is full. you'll see them start spreading. if you keep up with them (removing them when you can, kalk pasting them when you can't) you should be able to reasonably control them.

-edit-

a thought occurs. what about ricordia? i don't think they spread as fast, and there are some super cool looking ones of them.

 

[billdogg]

I've got both blue discoma and orange ricordia. IME, they will spread fairly quickly in higher nutrient tanks - either FO or softies. In the relatively lower nutrient tanks like many SPS/LPS reefs, they spread slowly, if at all. The rock of discomas has not spread anywhere regardless of where in the tank I put it. The ricordia have spread out around the tank, but have not really multiplied - they just seem to be more willing to go exploring on the whims of the currents.

 

[monkeysee1]

as I hear mushroom corals can overtake a tank.

.....depends on your lighting! If you have medium lighting they'll take right off and can quickly overpower your tank. They won't grow as fast under low lighting, and too much light will bleach them and make them shrivel up....