Discosoma, Ricordea and Rhodactis
These corals are well known to hobbyists. Many will have or have had these corals in the aquarium. They are well suited to beginners due to their low grooming requirements and popular among experienced hobbyists due to their bright color patterns. Some even have blisters that can fill with water. There are three main varieties: Discosoma, Ricordea and Rhodactis.
discosoma
These ears tend to be smooth with few blisters or bumps covering the disc. The color options are endless and you can quickly fill a large part of your rock with beautiful coral with just a few ears. Once established, they can quickly spread and multiply. They are photosynthetic and like medium to strong lighting. Also, they will feast on almost anything that fits in the mouth. You can also feed them for this reason, although this is certainly not necessary. An advantage of this would be that they are healthier and will grow faster.
Ricordea
These disc anemones are covered with round blisters which makes for a very attractive appearance for most hobbyists. There are two types of Ricordea corals. One species is found in the Pacific Ocean, called Ricordea yuma, the other from the Caribbean, Ricordea florida.
The Ricordea yuma is often larger and therefore more visible than the Ricordea florida and can grow up to 20 centimeters in diameter. Ricordea florida often grows no larger than 5 inches in diameter.
Ricordea florida corals are relatively inexpensive compared to Ricordea yuma. The difference is not only seen in price, but you can also see the difference in appearance. Ricordea florida has blisters up to the mouth and Ricordea yuma has no blisters on the mouth. Ricordea florida also often has more and larger vesicles. These corals can optionally be fed and also like medium to a lot of light.
Protect small animal organisms from being eaten by fish and coral to develop a stable population in your aquarium. If you don’t have a refugium there is a chance that the entire population will be eaten and your population of small organisms will disappear. Popular organisms that can develop into a stable population in your refugium are amphipods and copepods. In an aquarium, a large enough refugium can provide a safe haven for copepods (where they don’t have to worry about being eaten and can reproduce so that you create a stable population). The copepods can enter the main aquarium, providing a regular and healthy source of food for the animals in your tank.
A refugium increases the total water volume of the aquarium, making the water more stable. For example, a 60 liter aquarium with a 20 liter refugium is actually an 80 liter system; the extra volume makes the aquarium water less sensitive to temperature fluctuations and other disturbances, making it easier to care for an aquarium. The more sensitive fish and corals will certainly benefit from this.
A refugium can serve as a refuge for fish that are vulnerable or prone to bullying (e.g. seahorses). Some owners even place new fish in a refugium to help them acclimate to a quiet environment (away from the inhabitants of the main aquarium). Helps young fish develop in a safe environment as they grow, while at the same time keeping them accustomed to the water and conditions of the main aquarium.
Rhodactis
Rhodactis also fall under the disc anemone and also have vesicles with a kind of tentacle attached. While most of these species are relatively inexpensive, some of these species that create large blisters are among the most expensive corals available in this hobby. These corals are also called Bounce mushrooms.
Also Rhodactis are photosynthetic corals that like medium to high light with low currents like Discosoma and Ricordea. When exposed to too much current, these corals can detach from their place. This will blow the coral through the tank and may end up in your pumps. This can be fatal for the coral. Therefore, always be careful with these corals and place them in an area with low currents. If they do let go, place them in a container in the aquarium with some rocks in it. Within a few days they will have attached themselves to these stones.
