what is this? mushroom or what?

kyla bidwell · Jan 2, 2016

I found this on the side of an orange monti frag that I got about a month ago. It looks like a mushroom to me. But I dont have much experience with softies so im not sure. It almost looks like one of those flower anemones or a button scolly. But I know its most likely a shroom of some kind. Thanks in advance!

twilliard · Jan 2, 2016

Sure looks like a mushroom tucked in the corner

Nice to see your wearing gloves!

kyla bidwell · Jan 2, 2016

Haha yeah I have brissle worms galore. Even living in my powerheads! I dont pick ANYTHING up without gloves anymore lol! Plus I have aiptasia everywhere. Gotta get some peppermint shrimp soon!

Im glad to know I have a free shroom lol! Its pretty too! Should I take it off of the monti frag? Are there any consequences of leaving on the monti? Its attached to the underside of the monti.

Pete polyp · Jan 2, 2016

It's not looking like a mushroom to me but a yuma ricordea. If you don't separate it from the Monti it will kill the Monti when it opens up and touches it.

kyla bidwell · Jan 2, 2016

Wow ok I didn't realize they could KILL other corals! Ill move it asap! How does that work exactly though? How does it kill the monti? Just curious. I like learning the"how's" and "why's" of things in reefing.

tonkaoz · Jan 2, 2016

The pic is hard to see but it looks like a lava lamp mushroom

Reefrookie220 · Jan 2, 2016

Make sure to get it all at once or it'll just grow into another.

Triggreef · Jan 2, 2016

I'd consider yuma/ricordia mushroom as well but it does look like lava lamp shroom to me as well. Either way any of the mushrooms all have an aggressive sting and generally win against any coral they are near.

Pete polyp · Jan 2, 2016

Everything points to yuma on this one. The frilly skirt, the raised bubbles and the shape of the mouth. Corals normally don't play nice with other species and will sting each other when they touch. The strongest will survive and in my experience there's not much stronger than a yuma.

Triggreef · Jan 2, 2016

Pete polyp said:
Everything points to yuma on this one. The frilly skirt, the raised bubbles and the shape of the mouth. Corals normally don't play nice with other species and will sting each other when they touch. The strongest will survive and in my experience there's not much stronger than a yuma.

Closer look I say yuma as well didn't notice how big the bumps were.

kyla bidwell · Jan 2, 2016

It does look an awful lot like the lava lamp pics I pulled up on google. What is the difference between a ricordia and a lava lamp? And a yuma and lava lamp? I have an orange yuma and it dosent look much like it. The yuma has more prominent bumps, and more of them. I Haven't ever had any ricordia mushrooms though. So im not sure how to tell the difference between ricordia and lava lamp.

Would a lava lamp be a better prize to find than a ricordia or yuma? Just out of pure curiosity. Hell I was ecstatic to get free copepods and mini stars from my live rock.I LOVE almost anything free! I just like to know how "good of a freebie" it is that im getting. I like to know the value

Pete polyp · Jan 2, 2016

The fringe skirt around the edge makes it look like a yuma. The bubbles being in a line also suggests yuma. Yes normally they have more bumps or bubbles but they can recede depending on conditions. In time it will show exactly what it is if it's cared for properly. One thing is forsure though, you need to separate it from the Monti before it stings it. Mushrooms and ricordea carry a strong sting because they're really an anemone.

charlie foster · Jan 6, 2016

kyla bidwell said:
It does look an awful lot like the lava lamp pics I pulled up on google. What is the difference between a ricordia and a lava lamp? And a yuma and lava lamp? I have an orange yuma and it dosent look much like it. The yuma has more prominent bumps, and more of them. I Haven't ever had any ricordia mushrooms though. So im not sure how to tell the difference between ricordia and lava lamp.

Would a lava lamp be a better prize to find than a ricordia or yuma? Just out of pure curiosity. Hell I was ecstatic to get free copepods and mini stars from my live rock.I LOVE almost anything free! I just like to know how "good of a freebie" it is that im getting. I like to know the value

Hey man can I see a pic of those "mini stars" im thinking your talking about asterina starfish and they are a pest starfish that will harm your corals

kyla bidwell · Jan 6, 2016

They are asterina stars. I thought they were harmless though :-\ ive never seen one on any corals but that dosent mean they dont get on them i know. But I do have issues with zoas. Palys do great. Sps and lps do great. Zoas are my only problem coral.