Elephant Ear Mushroom (Rhodactis Howesii)

Elephant Ear Mushroom (Rhodactis Howesii) key facts

Care level

Beginner-friendly

Temperature

24〜26℃

Diet

Nutrition from its zooxanthellae, plus plankton and larger food items it captures.

Lighting

LiveAquaria lists Rhodactis mushrooms as low to moderate light corals. Strong light makes them shrink and lose colour, so raise light levels gradually.

Flow & Placement

LiveAquaria gives placement as bottom and flow as low to medium. It grows large, so pick a spot where the expanded disc cannot touch neighbouring corals.

Water Temperature & Quality

Water 24-26C, specific gravity 1.023-1.025 (salinity 33-35 ppt), pH 8.1-8.4, KH 8-12. Iodine, magnesium and trace elements are recommended.

Feeding

With its large disc it takes bigger items such as brine shrimp or chopped seafood, though it can also be kept on zooxanthellae alone.

Notes

LiveAquaria rates Rhodactis as semi-aggressive; it damages sessile invertebrates within reach of its disc, so leave clearance. Having no skeleton, it is not covered by the CITES coral listings. WoRMS assigns the English name elephant ear anemone to Amplexidiscus fenestrafer, a different genus sold under the same trade name. That species closes its oral disc into a ball to capture small fish and shrimp, so confirm which species you have before adding one to a tank with fish.

About Elephant Ear Mushroom (Rhodactis Howesii)

Elephant Ear Mushroom (Rhodactis howesii) is a corallimorph known for its broad, expansive oral disc, branching tentacles, and brown-to-green coloration. Skeleton-free and beginner-friendly, it's a popular entry point into coral keeping.

7 things to know before welcoming a Elephant Ear Mushroom (Rhodactis Howesii)

1. 1A Broad, Expansive Oral Disc

   The Elephant Ear Mushroom's signature feature is its wide, flat oral disc that unfurls like an elephant's ear. The surface is covered in short, branching tentacles, and the disc slowly spreads out as the animal settles into its environment.

2. 2Brown to Green Coloration

   Coloration varies from brown to green between individuals. Since color can differ noticeably even within the same species, it's worth examining the specific specimen before choosing one.

3. 3A Skeleton-Free, Soft Body

   First described by Saville-Kent in 1893, this corallimorph doesn't build a hard skeleton like stony corals. Its entire body is soft and flexible, and it may contract and shrink when disturbed.

4. 4Beginner-Friendly Difficulty

   This species has a beginner-friendly difficulty rating, making it approachable for those new to coral keeping. That said, sudden changes in water quality should still be avoided, as with any living animal.

5. 5Placement and Water Flow

   Strong flow can cause the oral disc to close up, so gentle water movement over rock or live rock is generally best. It's known to adapt reasonably well even under moderate lighting.

6. 6Splitting and Spacing

   Corallimorphs like this one can naturally split and multiply when conditions suit them. Since contact with neighboring corals can cause irritation, it's best to leave some space around it.

7. 7Outside CITES Scope

   The Elephant Ear Mushroom falls outside the scope of CITES. There's no need to worry about international trade restrictions when bringing one home.

Frequently asked questions about Elephant Ear Mushroom (Rhodactis Howesii)

Q.Is the Elephant Ear Mushroom suitable for beginners?

A.Yes, it carries a beginner-friendly difficulty rating. That said, basic water quality management is still important for any living animal.

Q.Can I choose the color?

A.Coloration varies between individuals, ranging from brown to green. You can view the specific specimen's coloring before choosing.

Q.How large does it grow?

A.This species is known for its broad, expansive oral disc, though the exact size an individual reaches depends on the specimen and its care environment.

Q.Can it be kept alongside other corals?

A.It can, but corallimorphs like this one may split and multiply over time, and contact with neighboring corals can cause irritation. It's best to leave some spacing around it.

Q.Is the Elephant Ear Mushroom subject to CITES regulations?

A.No, the Elephant Ear Mushroom falls outside the scope of CITES.

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