The 10 Best Mushroom Corals for Reef Tanks in 2027
The Green Hairy Mushroom is the best mushroom coral here: LiveAquaria rates the type very easy and good for beginners, and Top Shelf Aquatics lists it at $49.99. The Superman Discosoma and Drops of Fire are #2 and #3. The Ricordea and Key Lime Yuma come last because their sources call for strong light or note hardiness limits.
At a glance
| # | Pick | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Green Hairy Mushroom | $49.99 | A first mushroom coral in a mixed reef with room to spread |
| 2 | Superman Discosoma Mushroom | $59.99 | A smooth-disc Discosoma on lower rockwork |
| 3 | Drops of Fire Mushroom | $79.99 | A low-light corner that needs bold color |
| 4 | Mardi Gras Bounce Mushroom | $89.99 | A bounce mushroom without a four-figure price |
| 5 | Cyclops Yuma Mushroom | $199.99 | A bubble-tentacle yuma with an easy-care profile |
| 6 | Electric Jawbreaker Mushroom | $249.99 | A large patterned disc as a centerpiece |
| 7 | King Julius Bounce Mushroom | $249.99 | A showpiece bounce mushroom |
| 8 | Captain Jack Mushroom | $269.99 | A single standout frag on a plug |
| 9 | Orange Rainbow Ricordea | $89.99 | A bright reef with strong light and swift flow |
| 10 | Key Lime Yuma Mushroom | $89.99 | A bright tank with calm flow and a stable setup |
Pick by what you want
The ranking
Green Hairy Mushroom
Top Shelf Aquatics lists the Green Hairy Mushroom at $49.99. LiveAquaria lists the type as Rhodactis indosinensis, very easy to maintain and good for beginners, at medium to high light and medium water movement. It reproduces by fission, and a small piece grows into a full-sized mushroom within a few months.
Superman Discosoma Mushroom
Top Shelf Aquatics lists the Superman Discosoma at $59.99. Reef Chasers rates Discosoma mushrooms as beginner difficulty, with low to moderate light (75-150 par) and low to moderate flow, and says they can reproduce themselves pretty quickly. It also says they need space to grow and colonize.
Drops of Fire Mushroom
Top Shelf Aquatics lists Drops of Fire at $79.99 with an Easy care profile, low to moderate light and low to moderate flow. Its care guide says mushroom corals tend to spread, so it suggests starting on lower rockwork with space for gradual spreading.
Mardi Gras Bounce Mushroom
Top Shelf Aquatics lists the TSA Mardi Gras Bounce at $89.99. For bounce-type Rhodactis, LiveAquaria's Frilly Bounced Mushroom page says easy to maintain and good for beginners at low to medium light and medium water movement. It adds that the type is somewhat aggressive and can overgrow other reef inhabitants.
Cyclops Yuma Mushroom
Top Shelf Aquatics lists the Cyclops Yuma at $199.99 with an Easy care profile, low to moderate light and low to moderate flow. Its guide says too much flow can make mushrooms retract or become dislodged, so aim for a gentle, indirect current.
Electric Jawbreaker Mushroom
Top Shelf Aquatics lists the Electric Jawbreaker at $249.99 with an Easy care profile, low to moderate light and low to moderate flow. Its guide says feeding phytoplankton, zooplankton or small meaty foods once or twice a week can promote growth and enhance coloration.
King Julius Bounce Mushroom
Top Shelf Aquatics lists the King Julius Bounce at $249.99. LiveAquaria's Frilly Bounced Mushroom page, the closest source for bounce-type Rhodactis, says easy to maintain, low to medium light and medium water movement. It also says a small piece separates from the parent and grows into a full-sized mushroom within a few months.
Captain Jack Mushroom
Top Shelf Aquatics lists Captain Jack at $269.99 with an Easy care profile, low to moderate light and low to moderate flow. It is the highest price in the easy group, and the listing says the photo shows the mother colony and you receive a single mushroom on a plug.
Orange Rainbow Ricordea
Top Shelf Aquatics lists the Orange Rainbow Ricordea at $89.99 and says the color you receive may be orange, green or blue. Tropical Fish Hobbyist calls Ricordea among the easiest corals but says they need strong light and swift water movement, and that they are fairly fast growing with food, flow and light. It warns they can damage other corals they touch.
Key Lime Yuma Mushroom
Top Shelf Aquatics lists the Key Lime Yuma at $89.99. LiveAquaria's Ricordea yuma page calls for medium to high light, though metal halide may be too bright, and low water movement. It says the type may not be as hardy as other mushroom corals and reproduces by longitudinal fission.
How we ranked these
Questions people ask
How fast do mushroom corals grow?
World Wide Corals calls mushroom corals fast growing and says they can easily overtake an area, and that spot feeding gives faster growth and brighter colors. Reef Chasers says Discosoma mushrooms grow at a decent rate and can reproduce themselves pretty quickly. LiveAquaria says a hairy mushroom piece grows into a full-sized mushroom within a few months.
How much light do mushroom corals need?
Top Shelf Aquatics says mushroom corals do not require intense lighting and that moderate to low lighting is sufficient, with color enhanced under higher light. World Wide Corals gives a range of 50-150 par and Reef Chasers recommends 75-150 par.
How much flow do mushroom corals want?
Top Shelf Aquatics says they prefer low to moderate water flow, and that too much flow can cause them to retract or become dislodged. It advises a gentle, indirect current.
Are mushroom corals good for beginners?
Top Shelf Aquatics calls them ideal for beginners because of their hardiness and low maintenance. Reef Chasers rates Discosoma difficulty as beginner. LiveAquaria adds that the hairy and bounce types are somewhat aggressive and can overgrow other reef inhabitants.
Listed price at a glance
Official sites
- Green Hairy Mushroom · topshelfaquatics.com
- Superman Discosoma Mushroom · topshelfaquatics.com
- Drops of Fire Mushroom · topshelfaquatics.com
- Mardi Gras Bounce Mushroom · topshelfaquatics.com
- Cyclops Yuma Mushroom · topshelfaquatics.com
- Electric Jawbreaker Mushroom · topshelfaquatics.com
- King Julius Bounce Mushroom · topshelfaquatics.com
- Captain Jack Mushroom · topshelfaquatics.com
- Orange Rainbow Ricordea · topshelfaquatics.com
- Key Lime Yuma Mushroom · topshelfaquatics.com
Sources
- topshelfaquatics.com
- reefchasers.com
- worldwidecorals.com
- tfhmagazine.com
- liveaquaria.com
- liveaquaria.com
- liveaquaria.com
- liveaquaria.com
Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.