Mushroom Coral
Lithophyllon repanda
A forgiving, low-flow coral that suits beginner reef tanks well.
About
Mushroom Coral (Lithophyllon repanda) is a stony coral found across a broad stretch of the Central Pacific, turning up on tropical reefs anywhere from the shallows down to around 40 meters. That wide depth tolerance hints at the adaptability that makes it a reasonable choice for hobbyists who are still dialing in their reef setup. Its common name comes from the flattened, disc-like shape of its corallite, which does have a distinctly fungal silhouette when viewed from above. In the wild it occupies a range spanning both sides of the equator across a broad band of tropical Indo-Pacific waters, so it is well accustomed to varied reef conditions. In the aquarium it appreciates moderate lighting rather than the intense output demanded by many SPS corals, and it prefers gentle water movement rather than strong, turbulent flow. That combination of moderate light and low flow actually makes placement a bit easier than with many reef inhabitants, since it can often find a comfortable spot on the rockwork without a lot of trial and error. For a newer reef keeper looking to add a legitimate stony coral without immediately jumping into demanding Acropora territory, this is a sensible and honest starting point.
Similar species
Other coral you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Mushroom Coral
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- What water parameters does the Mushroom Coral need?
- The Mushroom Coral does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- Is the Mushroom Coral reef safe?
- The Mushroom Coral is generally considered reef safe.