How related are they?
Same order, Corallimorpharia (Mushroom corals): relatives from different families
They split at the family level: the Discosoma Mushroom Coral belongs to Discosomidae (Disc mushroom corals), the Ricordea Florida to Ricordeidae (Ricordea mushrooms).
Find the Discosoma Mushroom Coral on the tree · Find the Ricordea Florida on the tree
Family lines, side by side
Highlighted rows are groups both animals belong to. The marked row is where their lines go separate ways.
| Rank | Discosoma Mushroom Coral | Ricordea Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia Animals | |
| Phylum | Cnidaria Cnidarians | |
| Subphylum | Anthozoa Corals and sea anemones | |
| Class | Hexacorallia Hexacorals | |
| Order | Corallimorpharia Mushroom corals | |
| Family split | Discosomidae Disc mushroom corals | Ricordeidae Ricordea mushrooms |
| Genus | Discosoma disc anemones | Ricordea Ricordea mushrooms |
| Species | — | Ricordea florida Florida false coral |
Care, side by side
| Fact | Discosoma Mushroom Coral | Ricordea Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Coral · Mushroom coral | Coral · Mushroom coral |
| Care level | Easy | Easy |
| Reef safe | With caution | Yes |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Semi-aggressive |
| Diet | Photosynthetic | Photosynthetic |
| Favorite foods | Light (photosynthesis by symbiotic algae), Mysis or brine shrimp pieces, Micro-plankton and zooplankton | Light (photosynthesis by symbiotic algae), Mysis or brine shrimp pieces, Small pellet or meaty coral foods |
| Max size | 3.5 in (8.9 cm) | 2.5 in (6.3 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 10 gal | 10 gal |
| Temperature | 72–78 °F | 72–78 °F |
| Salinity (SG) | 1.023–1.025 | 1.023–1.025 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 | 8.1–8.4 |
| Nitrate | 0–10 ppm | 0–10 ppm |
| Lifespan | Individual polyps can live for many years, and clones spread by asexual reproduction can persist indefinitely in a stable tank. | Individual polyps can live for years, and clones produced by splitting can persist indefinitely in a stable aquarium. |
| Breeding | Easy | Moderate |
| Conservation (IUCN) | Not Evaluated | Not Evaluated |