Rare Earth Carpet Mushroom Coral

Rare Earth Carpet Mushroom, Rhodactis sp., is a highly textured corallimorph characterized by a broad, fleshy oral disc covered with dense, branched and knob-like surface projections. This WYSIWYG specimen displays a striking blue-gray to lavender base heavily covered with fluorescent yellow-green, olive, bronze, and reddish vesicles. Along the outer margin, elongated tentacle-like structures show rich pink to burgundy coloration with yellow-green tips, creating additional contrast around the disc. The irregular combination of earthy bronze, green, red, and blue tones gives this specimen the distinctive “Rare Earth” appearance. Rhodactis mushrooms contain symbiotic zooxanthellae that provide much of their nutritional needs through photosynthesis, while they are also capable of capturing small suspended and meaty foods. Under favorable aquarium conditions they may expand substantially and reproduce through division or pedal laceration. Because species-level identification within Rhodactis cannot reliably be confirmed from external appearance alone, Rhodactis sp. is the scientifically appropriate designation.

Care Guide: Rhodactis sp. generally performs well under low to moderate reef lighting with low to moderate, indirect water flow. Avoid strong direct flow, which can interfere with full expansion or potentially cause the mushroom to detach from its substrate. Place on stable lower to mid-level rockwork with adequate room for expansion and future spreading. Maintain stable salinity, temperature, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate. Rhodactis mushrooms receive much of their nutrition through photosynthesis but may benefit from occasional small meaty or planktonic foods. Acclimate gradually to stronger lighting and avoid abrupt changes in aquarium conditions.