Mushrooms splitting or dying??

[Ghoff2323]

Hey guys! A lot of updates since my last post so I'll throw in some pictures with reworked rock and added corals.

But first. I have a question. I reworked my rock a little for. Better view, flow, and coral space. I also moved my power head. It doesn't seem to be much more flow than what it used to be on my mushrooms but I just wanted to ask to make sure I wasn't killing them and they were just growing. I've seen another frag pop up on the same rock so I'm guessing it's just them splitting but my larger mushroom on the rock looks a little weak. Is he just splitting or did my flow change mess him up?

 

[ActiveAngel]

I think he looks fine, but I don’t see him daily to know the subtle differences in appearance. If he’s still looking pissed off for 1-2 days consecutively, then something is amiss. Otherwise, mushrooms, like other nems, go through closed-phases that usually last minutes or hours.

If something is wrong, with my mushroom experience, check the temp and salinity. They can handle a lot of abuse and even pests and still prosper, but these 2 parameters are a death sentence. Fortunately, these two are easy to test and calibrate equipment.

 

[Ghoff2323]

The first time it split he looked like a deflated balloon for about half a day and then they popped up as two. Now he looks split but a little more aggravated. Just tested my water a day or two ago and everything was near perfect. I need to recalibrate my refractometer though so I may be a little off with salinity. Thanks for the help!

 

[jcook54]

Mushrooms are pretty tough and if I had to place a bet, I'd bet that it's just splitting. Sometimes they split and I don't even notice it and sometimes it looks like bid crumpled up wad of shroom and eventually turns into 2 after a week. Sometimes I've seen them look almost like they were torn. In short, they can take on quite a few different looks when they're happy. As far as flow goes, as long as their tentacles are moving in the flow, you're fine. Too much flow on a mushroom is usually pretty obvious and in your case I'd bet they're just a little annoyed at the changes. They get used to one particular flow pattern and grow accordingly. When you start changing stuff it can take a little while for them to adjust but it's nothing to worry about.

 

[Ghoff2323]

Mushrooms are pretty tough and if I had to place a bet, I'd bet that it's just splitting. Sometimes they split and I don't even notice it and sometimes it looks like bid crumpled up wad of shroom and eventually turns into 2 after a week. Sometimes I've seen them look almost like they were torn. In short, they can take on quite a few different looks when they're happy. As far as flow goes, as long as their tentacles are moving in the flow, you're fine. Too much flow on a mushroom is usually pretty obvious and in your case I'd bet they're just a little annoyed at the changes. They get used to one particular flow pattern and grow accordingly. When you start changing stuff it can take a little while for them to adjust but it's nothing to worry about.

I think that may be what's going on. The flow pattern seems to be the same but from a different direction in the tank. Thanks for the info! And do you know the exact name of these mushrooms? I've gotten a few different names for them but can't seem to pinpoint it.

 

[Ghoff2323]

I think that may be what's going on. The flow pattern seems to be the same but from a different direction in the tank. Thanks for the info! And do you know the exact name of these mushrooms? I've gotten a few different names for them but can't seem to pinpoint it.

They look more like a ricordea to me

 

[freezerrat]

Maybe they're a bit irritated with the new flow pattern. I had Yumas walk around their rock in the past. When they did bits of them were left as they went. Each developed into a new miniature individual and eventually a full size Yuma.

 

[Ghoff2323]

Maybe they're a bit irritated with the new flow pattern. I had Yumas walk around their rock in the past. When they did bits of them were left as they went. Each developed into a new miniature individual and eventually a full size Yuma.

Yeah it kind of seems like the big guy just wanted to relocate himself a bit. He's leaving some behind though so that's a plus!

 

[ActiveAngel]

They definitely are not Ricordea Florida or Yuma. However, I can’t say exact what species they are.

Generally speaking, people in the hobby are likely to refer to these as a Fuzzy Mushroom, and group them under Rhodactis mushrooms. but just because that’s what the masses do, doesn’t mean it’s accurate. Lol

 

[Ghoff2323]

Here's what they looked like before the relocation of the powerhead.

 

[ActiveAngel]

Yeah, I’d still give them a couple days and see how they react. It could be splitting, could be the new flow, or it could be any other reason... but they should pull through just fine. I wouldn’t worry, in your shoes.

And as mentioned; it’s super easy to re-calibrate and test both temp and salinity.

 

[Ghoff2323]

They definitely are not Ricordea Florida or Yuma. However, I can’t say exact what species they are.

Generally speaking, people in the hobby are likely to refer to these as a Fuzzy Mushroom, and group them under Rhodactis mushrooms. but just because that’s what the masses do, doesn’t mean it’s accurate. Lol

Thank you! I never could figure it out. They had the ricordea look when they closed up at night but then got real fuzzy and extended when happy.

 

[ActiveAngel]

Thank you! I never could figure it out. They had the ricordea look when they closed up at night but then got real fuzzy and extended when happy.

Yeah, and who knows, maybe that will be a taxonomic development. Scientists are always finding ways to improve and edit our understanding of how species relate.

Assuming it is a Rhodactis now, it could be reclassified in the future. Recent examples of this are the discovery of Trachyphyllia and Wellsophyllia being the same species, and reclassification of Acanthastrea Lordhowensis to Micromussa Lordhowensis. In retrospect, Acan Lord look a lot more like other Micromussas... so perhaps this mushroom will be named a Ricordea down the road.

 

[Ghoff2323]

Yeah, and who knows, maybe that will be a taxonomic development. Scientists are always finding ways to improve and edit our understanding of how species relate.

Assuming it is a Rhodactis now, it could be reclassified in the future. Recent examples of this are the discovery of Trachyphyllia and Wellsophyllia being the same species, and reclassification of Acanthastrea Lordhowensis to Micromussa Lordhowensis. In retrospect, Acan Lord look a lot more like other Micromussas... so perhaps this mushroom will be named a Ricordea down the road.

I'll have to do some more research on them all! Thanks for such a detailed explanation

 

[jcook54]

If we were to get scientific, I'd call those rhodactis for sure. If I wanted to get really fancy I might even italicize it - Rhodactis howesii or Rhodactis sp. - and really look like I know what I'm talking about! If you really want to throw a wrench in the works, try to figure out the difference between hairy mushrooms (Rhodactis sp.) and fuzzy mushrooms (Discosoma sp.)

 

[Ghoff2323]

If we were to get scientific, I'd call those rhodactis for sure. If I wanted to get really fancy I might even italicize it - Rhodactis howesii or Rhodactis sp. - and really look like I know what I'm talking about! If you really want to throw a wrench in the works, try to figure out the difference between hairy mushrooms (Rhodactis sp.) and fuzzy mushrooms (Discosoma sp.)

Man I need to do some reading so I can keep in the conversation I do know way more than what I did when I started though so that's a plus.

 

[Ghoff2323]

Also. While I've got you guys here if you don't mind answering one more question. I have a mixed frag rock with a leather and some polyps on it with a bit of zoas. Only a few of the zoas are opening. Is this because they're getting taken over by the polyps and leather? Is there a way to move them from this rock and relocate them without harming the polyps and leather?

 

[ActiveAngel]

If we were to get scientific, I'd call those rhodactis for sure. If I wanted to get really fancy I might even italicize it - Rhodactis howesii or Rhodactis sp. - and really look like I know what I'm talking about! If you really want to throw a wrench in the works, try to figure out the difference between hairy mushrooms (Rhodactis sp.) and fuzzy mushrooms (Discosoma sp.)

Lol. I think you may have found it: Rhodactis Howesii.

I plan to set up a meeting with one of the biologists at GTech in a couple months. Currently, I don’t give any stock to Liveaquaria identifications. I’ve identified dozens of errors to them and they don’t update the names, even when supplied with evidence. Also “sp.” is a term used when the species can’t be identified.

 

[Ghoff2323]

Lol. I think you may have found it: Rhodactis Howesii.

I plan to set up a meeting with one of the biologists at GTech in a couple months. Currently, I don’t give any stock to Liveaquaria identifications. I’ve identified dozens of errors to them and they don’t update the names, even when supplied with evidence. Also “sp.” is a term used when the species can’t be identified.

Let me know. I can provide a frag if needed! Lol

 

[jcook54]

Most of the polyp encroachment appears to be caused by the GSP. It typically grows on a pink "mat" that you can cut away and peel off with a razor blade and tweezers.

I would encourage you and everyone in the hobby to purchase "Aquarium Corals" by Eric Borneman. A close 2nd would be "Corals: A Quick Reference Guide" by Julian Sprung. The former has a lot more information but the latter has better pictures for flipping through.