The Florida Mushroom – Ricordea Florida is one of the most colorful corals in our hobby. It is sometimes mixed up with Ricordea Yuma, that looks almost the same , but has some differences in the positioning of its buble bumps.
Colorations
Most have two colors but there are many with one color and a few with palette that is envysome by many! Red, green, tan, brown, translucent, grey, blue, orange, purple, pink…. any color really can be in the mix.
Often there is a main color of the discus, a color of the mouth, another color on the top of the bumps. Very few have an extra color in the pumps around the mouth that can be the same with the bumps on the bumps on the edge of the discus.
Shapes
Like all mushrooms it is round with a very short stalk. It has bubble like bumps seemingly randomly located throughout the top of tis discus. The bumps on the rim of the discus are sometimes longer.
The non-radiating positions of the bumps and the relatively empty space around the mouth are the main discernable differences of the species.
Up close
Here you can see a clear example of the non-radiating pattern of the bumps and the clearing forming close to the mouth.
Care
Circulation
This coral benefits from peace and quiet. A slow cuttent is best, it will tolerate near stagnant current and medium flow.
Lighting
It does not need too much light. If acclimated to non-harsh strong light , it will tolerate it. Low and non-reef lights are also possible, but not perfect. Medium light is best, when in a high light tank, put it in relative shade or close to the side glass.
Feeding
The mouth can extend to eat a rather big meal. A 1cm piece might be pushing it, but it will probably handle it. Smaller pieces are lead to the mouth slowly through its mucus movement. It may lose up to digest its food, and may expel its guts into the enclosure the closed-up discus makes. This may be to help with digestion.
Growth
It usually grows to 5cm diameter. It multiplies by dividing, and less often by pedal laceration.
Propagation
It is best to wait it out to make new individuals. It is not famed for its durability after it has been cut – though it is doable.
Bibliography – sources
http://www.3reef.com/threads/ricordea-difference-between-florida-and-yuma.49554/
