Corallimorphs are considered to be halfway between anemones
and stony corals!
Corallimorphs or Mushroom Anemones have no calcerous skeleton like anemones but
anatomically they more strongly resemble stony corals. There are only
about 50 known species.
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Care and Feeding:
Corallimorphs are among the easiest corals to keep. They can even
be maintained in aquariums with just sand substrate, live rock, and an airstone
for water movement and oxygenation. This is because they will tolerate high
levels of nitrate and other organic compounds. They will do even better, and
their colors will brighten in an aquarium with low levels of organic compounds.
Most corallimorphs prefer indirect light or shade so the VHO fluorescent or
metal halide lighting is not required.
Some corallimorphs require regular feeding with chopped
shrimp, mysis, worms, pulverized fish food, mussel, fish roe, or plankton
substitutes such as brine shrimp and Daphnia.
Elephant Ear Mushroom Anemone
Amplexidiscus fenestrafer
Photo © Animal-World
The Elephant Ear is probably one of the most unusual corals
available. They are like the Venus Flytrap plant in animal form. Looking
like an anemone, they attract small fish, especially small anemone fish
but other fish as well, to take refuge in their oral disk. The disk doesn't
sting them like most anemones would but it slowly closes on the fish
until it cannot escape. Then the mouth opens and consumes the fish. It
is suspected that the anemone secretes a drug which tranquilizes the
fish and keeps it from trying to escape.
The elephant ear is usually cream colored or light grey,
sometimes they have a greenish cast to them. The body can reach up to
44 cm in diameter but is usually 20-25. There is a tenacle free area
just inside the edge of the disc.
Fluorescent light is preferred if it is indirect or for
short periods. Low currents are preferred. The elephant ear can be fed
shrimp or fish.
Blue Mushroom Anemone
Discosoma spp.
These corals come in many different colors like blue, red,
green, brown, purple and often have stripes, spots, and mottled color
variations.
The Discosoma species prefer indirect light from
fluorescents and low currents. They will often propagate until they completely
cover the substrate upon which they grow.
Striped Mushroom Anemone
Discosoma spp.
Green Mushroom Anemone
Discosoma spp.
Red Mushroom Anemone
Discosoma spp.
Photo © Animal-World
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