mushrooms are corallimorphs, best described
as a type of stony coral that lacks a skeleton.
They are beautiful animals that are suitable
for beginning reefkeepers and experts alike
as their care requirements are not demanding.
Most will adapt to a wide range of lighting
and water quality conditions.
are two different species of Ricordea
commonly available. Ricordea yuma comes
from Indo-Pacific waters, while Ricordea
florida is a Caribbean species. There
are also quite a few corallimorphs of uncertain
identification that closely resemble Ricordea.
Ricordea florida are generally found
in shallow water, although richer colored
specimens may be from more shaded areas. In
high-energy shallow environments, Ricordea
tend to form larger colonies of rather dull
colored polyps, while in deeper, shaded, or
protected areas they tend to occur in smaller
aggregations and have the beautiful bright
colors. There is not much known about the
habitat range of the Indo-pacific species,
though the general pattern of coloration seems
to hold true for many corallimorphs. Strong
actinic supplementation accentuates the color
patterns, and they are considered by many
to be among the most beautiful and desirable
of corals in our captive reefs!!
have been reported to take a variety of foods,
and may be fed Artemia and Mysis
shrimp as well as other small prey items.
However, it is often noted that Ricordea
may have a limited prey capture response,
and if they do not capture offered foods,
it should not be of concern. They are photosynthetic,
containing symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae)
that provide nourishment to the animal. Both
species will naturally reproduce using a method
called pedal laceration, as well as by fission.
In pedal laceration, the mushroom slowly moves
sideways, leaving small pieces of its basal
attachment behind that grow into baby mushrooms!
aware that R. florida should only be
available as single or perhaps a few isolated
polyps on a very small piece of live rock.
Current collection laws prohibit the collection
of colonies attached to live rock. If larger
colonies are being sold, they should be avoided
unless they were grown in captivity. R.
florida also commands a rather hefty price
from most livestock sources.
is an unusually attractive genus of corallimorphs
that seem to be less prone to rapid division
and consequently less likely to "take
over" a tank. They are an excellent choice
for many reef aquariums.
have recieved several notes regarding the
status of R. florida and its collection
on small live rock as stated in the article.
In particular, writers make note that this
is only true in Florida, and that other countries
(notably Haiti) may be supplying larger colonies
to the trade.
Haiti: Haiti has been responsible on and off
for imports over the past fifteen years, much
of it illegal. There are few restrictions
on collection in Haiti, and enforcement and
monitoring is poor by officials and illegal
collection and poaching is common. The illegal
trade is explained in the AIMS Publication,
Status of Coral Reefs of the World, 2002.
However, there are significant restrictions
at the U.S. side of things. Specifically,
live rock is classified as Scleractinia (a
CITES II restriction) and must be accompanied
by a CITES certificate. Haiti is a non-CITES
party, and so should not logistically be able
to export any CITES material, including live
rock, to the U.S., who requires such documentation.
Ricordea is not CITES listed, but the
rock is. If Haiti is the source for large
colonies of Ricordea on live rock,
it is more than likely illegal. To my knowledge,
there are no other suppliers of Caribbean
live rock to the United States.
Ricordea florida in the states is from
Florida and subject to the guidelines I mentioned.
However, if anyone is able to provide documentation
of such exports and imports (on our side),
such as companies involved and permit information,
I would be very interested to see it and would
investigate the situation. At such time as
I was able to confirm the legal import of
large colonies of Ricordea on live
rock, I would certainly offer a retraction
of the statement.
Photos courtesy of Reef Central members.
Text by Darren Walker & Eric Borneman.
Many thanks to John
Love (Rock Anemone) for his assistance with