Good elephant ear or scary elephant ear?

[ladyshark]

Looking at this specimen on Divers Den:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+7&ddid=187967

DD says its a Rhodactis mussoides

What I don't want is a Amplexidiscus spp., which I understand can engulf a small fish and smother it--http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=597+598+660&pcatid=660

I have seen both varieties referred to as "elephant ears"

The rhodactis looks like a harmless, but larger, mushroom coral. Do I understand this correctly?

TIA

 

[ladyshark]

Here is better link to the "scary" elephant ear http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+7&ddid=187596

 

[ladyshark]

Rhodactis mussoides:

Its large, usually somewhat folded polyps have a leathery texture, and the species can reach 8 to 10 inches in diameter or even slightly larger depending upon its surroundings. There are no outer edge tentacles, and its edges are sometimes ruffled. They are usually called hairy mushrooms because of their many small, fuzzy tentacles, but polyp surfaces on this species are more pimple-like. Their polyps can also fold upward to a certain extent and appear somewhat onion-shaped, but they do not use them to trap animals inside and eat them. If edible foods settle on their upper surface (e.g., detritus), they may form an onion shape that helps their cilia move the edible items toward their centrally located mouth, but this occurs very slowly. The mushroom’s main nutrition is provided by its zooxanthellae and the absorption of dissolved nutrients in the water.

Amplexidiscus spp.:

Giant Cup Mushrooms ( Amplexidiscus Sp. ) Mimic Flat Anemones And Mushroom Polyps. They Lie Flat On A Rock Surface And Spread Out With Their Flat Body Covered In Short Tentacles. When A Clownfish Or Another Fish Or Invertebrate Tries To Host In Or Walk Across The Surface, The Giant Cup Mushroom Closes Over It And Pulls It Into Its Central Mouth. These Mushrooms Do Not Actively Hunt Other Organisms But Will Eat Whatever Triggers Its Feeding Response. They Should Not Be Kept With Clownfish Or Other Small Fish And Invertebrates But Are Safe With Corals And Similar Sessile (stationary) Invertebrates And Larger, Stronger Fish.

 

[NeilFox]

Rhodactis mussoides:

Its large, usually somewhat folded polyps have a leathery texture, and the species can reach 8 to 10 inches in diameter or even slightly larger depending upon its surroundings. There are no outer edge tentacles, and its edges are sometimes ruffled. They are usually called hairy mushrooms because of their many small, fuzzy tentacles, but polyp surfaces on this species are more pimple-like. Their polyps can also fold upward to a certain extent and appear somewhat onion-shaped, but they do not use them to trap animals inside and eat them. If edible foods settle on their upper surface (e.g., detritus), they may form an onion shape that helps their cilia move the edible items toward their centrally located mouth, but this occurs very slowly. The mushroom's main nutrition is provided by its zooxanthellae and the absorption of dissolved nutrients in the water.

Amplexidiscus spp.:

Great post Lady Shark! I would assume the worst. Particularly if Dr's Foster and Smith are involved. I actually think these guys are librarians; certainly not Vet's or God Forbid "MD's". I have seen some scary bad advice on their site!

Giant Cup Mushrooms ( Amplexidiscus Sp. ) Mimic Flat Anemones And Mushroom Polyps. They Lie Flat On A Rock Surface And Spread Out With Their Flat Body Covered In Short Tentacles. When A Clownfish Or Another Fish Or Invertebrate Tries To Host In Or Walk Across The Surface, The Giant Cup Mushroom Closes Over It And Pulls It Into Its Central Mouth. These Mushrooms Do Not Actively Hunt Other Organisms But Will Eat Whatever Triggers Its Feeding Response. They Should Not Be Kept With Clownfish Or Other Small Fish And Invertebrates But Are Safe With Corals And Similar Sessile (stationary) Invertebrates And Larger, Stronger Fish.

 

[coral_lagoon]

Here is better link to the "scary" elephant ear http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+7&ddid=187596

I had one of those that almost got my flamehawk fish. It balled up, and inside was the flamehawk. Good thing I was home and saw it..

 

[organism]

The bottom ones can be pretty bad, but I've seen the top ones get huge too... Either way they'll end up taking up a ton of space though.