{"product_id":"australian-mushroom-rock-discosoma-sp","title":"Australian Mushroom Rock - Discosoma sp","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAustralian Mushroom Rock (Discosoma sp.)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Australian Mushroom Rock is a colourful and hardy mushroom coral, prized for its soft rounded polyps, attractive texture and ability to add natural movement and colour to a reef aquarium. Discosoma mushrooms are generally forgiving, adaptable and well suited to mature reef systems, making them a popular choice for newer reef keepers as well as experienced collectors. They do best in lower-flow areas with low to moderate lighting, where their polyps can fully expand without being blasted by direct current.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAustralian Mushroom Rock. Also commonly referred to as Australian Discosoma Mushroom, Mushroom Coral, Disc Mushroom Coral, Actinodiscus Mushroom or Discosoma Mushroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name \/ Coral ID:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDiscosoma sp.\u003cbr\u003eTrade identification only. Exact species and colour form may vary between imports.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoral Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMushroom \/ Corallimorph \/ Soft Coral\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Form:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMushroom \/ Disc \/ Spreading Mat\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour \u0026amp; Appearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDiscosoma mushrooms can display a wide range of colours, including green, blue, purple, red, orange, brown, metallic tones and mixed mottled patterns. Under blue or actinic reef lighting, some specimens may show enhanced fluorescence or a brighter metallic sheen. Polyp size, texture and colour intensity can vary depending on lighting, nutrients, flow and individual genetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size \/ Growth Potential:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIndividual mushroom polyps can expand several centimetres across when settled and healthy. Over time, Discosoma mushrooms may spread across nearby rockwork by dividing or leaving tissue behind as they move. Growth is usually moderate to fast in suitable conditions, especially where nutrients, lighting and flow are stable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis trade form is associated with Australian reef imports. Discosoma-type mushroom corals are naturally found attached to reef rock, rubble and shaded reef structures, often in areas with lower light and gentler water movement compared with many SPS-dominated reef zones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTemperature: 24–26°C\u003cbr\u003eSalinity: 1.024–1.026 SG\u003cbr\u003epH Range: 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003eAlkalinity: 7–10 dKH\u003cbr\u003eCalcium: 400–450 ppm\u003cbr\u003eMagnesium: 1250–1350 ppm\u003cbr\u003eNitrate: 5–20 ppm\u003cbr\u003ePhosphate: 0.03–0.10 ppm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStability Requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDiscosoma mushrooms are generally more forgiving than many stony corals, but they still do best in stable reef conditions. Sudden changes in salinity, lighting, alkalinity or nutrients can cause them to shrink, detach or remain closed. They usually tolerate slightly “dirtier” nutrient levels better than ultra-low nutrient systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting Requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eLow to Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecommended PAR: around 50–150 PAR\u003cbr\u003eThis coral usually does best under lower to moderate reef lighting. Avoid placing it directly under intense lighting without acclimation, as strong light can cause shrinking, bleaching or poor expansion. If moving from lower light to brighter areas, acclimate slowly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eLow to Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBest kept in gentle, indirect, variable flow. The flow should be enough to prevent detritus settling around the polyps, but not so strong that the mushrooms fold over, stay closed or detach from the rockwork. Direct powerhead flow should be avoided.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement in Aquarium:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLower rockwork \/ shaded lower areas \/ low-flow zones\u003cbr\u003ePlace in the lower to middle areas of the aquarium where lighting and flow are not too intense. Mushroom corals are best given dedicated space, as they can spread over time and may irritate neighbouring corals if allowed to grow too close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament \/ Aggression:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDiscosoma mushrooms do not have long sweeper tentacles, but they can still irritate, shade or overgrow nearby corals. They may also release chemical compounds like many soft corals and corallimorphs, so good filtration, carbon use and spacing from sensitive corals are helpful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding Requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003ePhotosynthetic \/ Benefits from feeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDiscosoma mushrooms contain symbiotic algae and receive much of their energy from light, but they can also benefit from occasional feeding. Suitable foods include fine powdered coral foods, amino acids, reef roids-style blends, small meaty particles and dissolved coral nutrition. Feeding is optional but can encourage faster growth and stronger expansion in stable systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eReef Safe with Caution\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis coral is generally safe with reef fish and invertebrates, but it may be picked at by coral-nipping species such as some angelfish, butterflyfish, filefish and puffers. The main caution is its ability to spread and compete for space with neighbouring corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeginner to Intermediate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eModerate to Fast\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrowth depends on lighting, nutrients, flow, feeding and water stability. In favourable conditions, Discosoma mushrooms can spread readily, so placement should be planned with future growth in mind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDiscosoma mushrooms are hardy, but they should still be added to a stable, cycled reef aquarium. Avoid strong direct flow, sudden lighting changes and ultra-low nutrient conditions. If a mushroom remains tightly closed, detaches or loses colour, review flow, lighting, nutrients and recent parameter swings. Coral dipping and inspection are recommended where suitable before introduction, especially to reduce the risk of pests or nuisance algae entering the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeginner reef keepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOccasional in trade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the coral you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in colour, structure, polyp extension and growth form will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Frag","offer_id":46056200765613,"sku":"AG-103470","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Colony","offer_id":46056200798381,"sku":"AG-103469","price":95.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/AustralianMushroomRock-Colony_Discosomasp_1.jpg?v=1779885340","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/australian-mushroom-rock-discosoma-sp","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}