How related are they?
Same order, Corallimorpharia (Mushroom corals): relatives from different families
They split at the family level: the Ricordea Florida belongs to Ricordeidae (Ricordea mushrooms), the Discosoma Mushroom Coral to Discosomidae (Disc mushroom corals).
Find the Ricordea Florida on the tree · Find the Discosoma Mushroom Coral 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 | Ricordea Florida | Discosoma Mushroom Coral |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia Animals | |
| Phylum | Cnidaria Cnidarians | |
| Subphylum | Anthozoa Corals and sea anemones | |
| Class | Hexacorallia Hexacorals | |
| Order | Corallimorpharia Mushroom corals | |
| Family split | Ricordeidae Ricordea mushrooms | Discosomidae Disc mushroom corals |
| Genus | Ricordea Ricordea mushrooms | Discosoma disc anemones |
| Species | Ricordea florida Florida false coral | — |
Care, side by side
| Fact | Ricordea Florida | Discosoma Mushroom Coral |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Coral · Mushroom coral | Coral · Mushroom coral |
| Care level | Easy | Easy |
| Reef safe | Yes | With caution |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Diet | Photosynthetic | Photosynthetic |
| Favorite foods | Light (photosynthesis by symbiotic algae), Mysis or brine shrimp pieces, Small pellet or meaty coral foods | Light (photosynthesis by symbiotic algae), Mysis or brine shrimp pieces, Micro-plankton and zooplankton |
| Max size | 2.5 in (6.3 cm) | 3.5 in (8.9 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 years, and clones produced by splitting can persist indefinitely in a stable aquarium. | Individual polyps can live for many years, and clones spread by asexual reproduction can persist indefinitely in a stable tank. |
| Breeding | Moderate | Easy |
| Conservation (IUCN) | Not Evaluated | Not Evaluated |