Mushroom Corals and Introduction to LPS | Stepping Up from Soft Corals
Explaining the characteristics, difficulty level, and management methods of mushroom corals and LPS as the optimal next step after soft corals. Selection criteria for species to choose as an intermediate step before progressing to SPS, along with equipment requirements for beginners.
Key Takeaways
Explaining the characteristics, difficulty level, and management methods of mushroom corals and LPS as the optimal next step after soft corals. Selection criteria for species to choose as an intermediate step before progressing to SPS, along with equipment requirements for beginners.
Related Species
Stepping Up from Soft Corals to LPS: The Philosophy of Progression
Mushroom corals (genus Discosoma) are among the most suitable species for beginning in coral keeping. For hobbyists who have started with mushroom anemones or Xenia, mushroom corals and LPS (Large Polyp Stony) corals serve as a bridge to the next stage of the hobby.
LPS stands for "Large Polyp Stony," a general term for hard corals with large polyps. Representative species include hammer corals (Euphyllia), brain corals (genus Favia), and trumpet corals (Caulastraea). While they demand higher water quality than soft corals, they are not as finicky as SPS. LPS represents the "intermediate stage" of coral keeping and is the category that most hobbyists enjoy long-term, with its appeal lying in the abundance of species and diversity of colors.
The greatest difference between soft corals and LPS is the presence or absence of a calcified skeleton. Soft corals lack a skeleton (though they do possess microscopic bone fragments called sclerites), while LPS form calcium carbonate skeletons. The growth of this skeleton consumes calcium, KH (alkalinity), and magnesium, requiring more stringent water quality management than soft corals.
Characteristics and Care of Mushroom Corals
Mushroom corals (Discosoma) are technically classified as soft corals, but possess excellent qualities as a bridge to LPS. They are characterized by flat, umbrella-shaped polyps and come in a wide variety of colors—red, blue, green, orange, and multicolor. Species rich in fluorescent pigments glow vibrantly under blue light, instantly elevating the appearance of a reef tank.
Required water parameters for care include: KH of 8–9 dKH, calcium 380–420 ppm, magnesium 1200–1350 ppm, and nitrate below 20 ppm. Maintain pH in the range of 7.8–8.3. These values are the same as for soft corals in general, and as beginner species, mushroom corals have a wide tolerance for water quality variations.
Mushroom corals do not tolerate strong light and are best placed in lower areas of the tank or in shaded spots. A PAR value of 50–150 μmol/m²/s is appropriate; strong light will cause them to retract and polyps to refuse to open. It is safest to start by placing them below LED lighting and gradually adjusting their position over 1–2 weeks while observing their response.
Ease of reproduction is another major appeal of mushroom corals. Once conditions stabilize, they naturally propagate through fission, with daughter polyps spreading across the substrate and live rock. If they overpopulate, you can cut and transplant them elsewhere. While they can be maintained through photosynthesis alone without feeding, growth accelerates significantly with weekly mysis shrimp or liquid food supplements.
