Mushroom Coral

About

Mushroom coral (Cycloseris costulata) is a solitary, free-living stony coral from the Indo-West Pacific, found across a broad tropical range from shallow water down to around 40 meters. In the wild it favors soft sandy or silty substrates between reef structures and on lower reef slopes sheltered from strong wave action. A habitat clue that translates directly into how you should keep it in the aquarium. Each polyp grows as a single circular disc, somewhat dome-shaped from above and concave beneath, reaching up to about 80 millimeters across. The thick primary septa radiate outward prominently around the central mouth, giving the surface a bold, ridged texture. Coloration tends toward pale cream or tan-brown, occasionally showing soft violet edging along the septa. In the tank, Cycloseris costulata appreciates a sandy bottom where it can sit freely rather than being mounted on rock. Low flow and moderate lighting suit it well, and it is generally regarded as a forgiving choice for reef keepers who are newer to keeping LPS or free-living corals. Give it a spot on the sandbed away from aggressive neighbors, and it will typically settle in without much fuss.