Ricordea Yuma

Ricordea Yuma key facts

Care level

Intermediate

Temperature

24〜26℃

Diet

Nutrition from its zooxanthellae plus echinoderms, crustaceans, small fish and zooplankton.

Lighting

LiveAquaria lists Ricordea as needing moderate to high light but warns that metal halide can be too bright. It reacts badly to sudden changes, so acclimate it to new light gradually.

Flow & Placement

LiveAquaria gives placement as bottom and flow as low; the disc will not open in strong flow. Note that it is less hardy than most other mushroom 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 and trace elements are recommended.

Feeding

Beyond what its zooxanthellae provide, offer small foods such as micro-plankton or brine shrimp to each disc. Items that are too large are spat out.

Notes

LiveAquaria rates it semi-aggressive and calls for space between it and other corals. Melting syndrome has been reported, so avoid abrupt changes in lighting or water chemistry. Having no skeleton, it is not covered by the CITES coral listings. The genus also contains Ricordea florida from the Caribbean, and the trade name ricordea alone does not distinguish the two. It is a separate species from a different region than this Indo-Pacific one, so check the scientific name down to the species when selecting.

About Ricordea Yuma

Ricordea Yuma is a corallimorph with a large mouth and spiraling, ball-shaped tentacles. It builds no hard skeleton and is often sold in vivid fluorescent colors. Considered an intermediate-level species to keep.

7 things to know before welcoming a Ricordea Yuma

1. 1Lighting & Placement

   Ricordea Yuma prefers moderate to fairly strong lighting, though metal halides can be too intense. It is sensitive to changes in light levels, so acclimate it gradually when introducing it. Place it low in the tank, near the bottom, and watch how its color and disc expansion change, adjusting its position if needed.

2. 2Keep Water Flow Gentle

   Prolonged exposure to strong flow can cause the oral disc to close up or shrink. A gentle, steady current helps it stay open and display its tentacles naturally. Periodically check and adjust the direction of your pumps.

3. 3No Hard Skeleton

   Unlike stony corals, Ricordea Yuma doesn't form a hard skeleton. It multiplies by marginal budding, in which a portion with its own tentacles and mouth grows out from the edge of the oral disc and detaches, so keep that in mind when deciding how to secure it in your layout.

4. 4Give It Some Space

   Corallimorphs like this one can affect neighboring corals or livestock through their tentacles or chemical interactions, so it's safer to leave some distance between it and other specimens. Placing them too close together can affect each other's growth and health.

5. 5Feeding Tips

   In nature it feeds on the products of photosynthesis from its zooxanthellae and also captures small food such as zooplankton. In the aquarium, offer small foods such as micro-plankton or brine shrimp directly to each oral disc. Food that is too large will be spat out, so choose pieces sized to its mouth.

6. 6Stable Water Quality

   As an intermediate-level species, it can struggle with extreme swings in water parameters. Keeping a consistent water change schedule and avoiding sudden changes is key to keeping it healthy long-term.

7. 7Add It to a Mature Tank

   It's reassuring to confirm your tank is fully cycled and stable before bringing one home. Treat the period right after placement as a settling-in phase, watching for changes in color and disc expansion as it adjusts to its new environment.

Frequently asked questions about Ricordea Yuma

Q.Is Ricordea Yuma a true coral?

A.Taxonomically it belongs to a group called corallimorphs, which differ from stony corals that build a hard skeleton. On marketplaces it's often grouped under the coral category for convenience.

Q.Is it suitable for beginners?

A.It's generally considered an intermediate-level species. It's best to gain some experience with basic tank management and water quality maintenance before keeping one.

Q.Does it need strong lighting?

A.Moderate to fairly strong lighting is a good guide. However, it is sensitive to changes in light levels and metal halides can be too intense, so acclimate it gradually when introducing it.

Q.Do I need to feed it?

A.It gets nutrition from its zooxanthellae but also captures small food, so feeding micro-plankton or brine shrimp to each oral disc is recommended. Food that is too large will be spat out, so choose pieces sized to its mouth.

Q.Is it okay to place it close to other corals?

A.Since corallimorphs can affect their surroundings, it's safer to leave some distance between it and other corals or livestock. Placing them too close together can affect each other's growth and health.

Useful tools for Ricordea Yuma care

Learn more about Ricordea Yuma in the encyclopedia

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