Florida Ricordea (Orange) [79]

Florida Ricordea (Orange)

Type: Mushroom Coral

Scientific Name: Ricordea florida

PAR: 50–150

Flow: Low to moderate

Placement: Low Third

Description

Orange Florida Ricordea is an intensely coloured mushroom coral covered in hundreds of rounded, bubble-like vesicles. Rich orange pigmentation can become exceptionally vivid under blue-spectrum reef lighting, often with contrasting colour around the mouth or outer edge of the disc.

Unlike the Indo-Pacific Ricordea yuma, Ricordea florida comes from the tropical western Atlantic and Caribbean. One useful way to distinguish the two is around the mouth: R. florida generally has a relatively smooth area immediately surrounding it, while R. yuma typically has vesicles continuing right up to the mouth.

Why We Like It

Florida Ricordea pack an incredible amount of colour into a very small coral. The bubbly texture gives them far more detail than a smooth mushroom, and orange specimens absolutely glow under reef lighting. They're perfect for building colourful little mushroom gardens without needing much space.

Care Notes

A hardy, photosynthetic mushroom that generally prefers moderate to lower lighting and gentle, varied flow. Direct feeding isn't essential, although occasional suitably sized foods can support growth. Established specimens can divide and gradually produce a larger group of Ricordea.