The Mushroom Coral is commonly referred as the Giant Disc Anemone, Giant Mushroom Anemone, or Giant Flower Coral, and sometimes the Large Elephant Ear. It is a great choice for the novice aquarist. The Green Elephant Ear Mushroom Coral features a large wavy surface, with a leathery texture and multiple mouths that makes a beautiful and unique addition to any reef tank. It is easy to maintain even in low to medium light level and is hardy, it makes a very good choice for a novice aquarist. The Green Elephant Ear Mushroom Coral is semi-aggressive and requires adequate space between itself and other corals. If given proper space between other corals, it will thrive. It undergoes photosynthesis and manufactures food and energy using zooxanthellae that dwells inside its tissue. The Green Elephant Ear Mushroom Coral is very easy to grow and propagate in the tank, and makes a valuable addition to any tank. It is also known as Corallimorphs that comes in many forms and colors. While mushroom corals tolerate a wider range of water parameters, they usually thrive in stable water conditions with 1.020-1.025 salinity, 72-78 degrees F, and pH of 8.1-8.4. The Mushroom Coral do not have a calcified skeleton structure that is why they can be more tolerant of swings in alkalinity, calcium and magnesium. When a fish brushes against it, it can form a ball around the fish, from which the fish cannot escape. It is best kept in an aquarium that has a sandy bottom and large rocks.
Single polyp mushroom that will open up very huge. 6 - 8 inches single polyp.Mushrooms are hardy and adaptable specimens, often being the first corals a new hobbyist will purchase for their tank.These invertebrates are made up of three distinct areas; pedal disk (used for attachment), stem and oral disk.These corallimorphs prefer less intense areas of lighting and flow. It has been noted that if the mushrooms are in placed in bright lighting- browning may occur.Propagation is quite easy provided the mushroom is placed in favorable conditions. Propagation occurs through (a) fission-splitting into more than one piece or by (b) budding which is a new mushroom "daughter" growing from the original mushroom.These invertebrates are mostly photosynthetic, they will however readily close the oral disk around any prey which strays onto the mushroom and be digested.Corals are part of a biological group known as Cnidaria. Most Cnidaria have a mouth, or mouths, that opens into one big body cavity. Due to the lack of a true digestive system, this cavity acts in its place and after the food is broken down the nutrients are then sent through the rest of the body as food. There is also no excretory system; therefore the waste is sent back through the mouth or secreted into the surrounding water.Tentacles of varying size will usually surround the mouth of Cnidaria. Most Cnidaria have tentacles with stinging cells that can shoot tiny poison darts into their prey or can even be used as a defense mechanism. Some corals lack tentacles and instead cover themselves with a thin layer of mucus and use that to collect bacteria and plankton as food. Some corals even use both of these methods. Cnidaria can either be an individual animal or members of a complex colony. These "Colony Corals" share the food and nutrients taken in by each individual.Corals have tiny living organisms that actually live in their tissue. These are called zooxanthellae and they are the reason why such strong lighting is needed in the saltwater aquarium. These algae-like creatures provide the coral with oxygen and other nutrients that are produced during photosynthesis. During this process, the zooxanthellae take up carbon dioxide and provide nutrients to the coral.Corals can use two different types of defense mechanisms. One of which is a sweeper tentacle wherein the coral reaches its tentacles out to try to damage another coral with nematocysts. The other is when the coral releases a minute amount of toxin into the water to poison another coral within certain proximity.
