Umbrella Mushroom (Discosoma neglecta)
Looking for a mushroom coral that truly stands out from the crowd? The Discosoma neglecta, commonly known as the Umbrella Mushroom, is a rare and highly unique Caribbean corallimorph that makes a fantastic addition to any reef.
Unlike standard, flat-laying mushroom corals, the neglecta forms a distinct, raised "cup" or umbrella shape. Its edges feature jagged, squared-off lobes and ruffled margins that almost look like a gear wheel. Available in a variety of colours—from classic mottled greens and earthy tones to highly sought-after "rainbow" morphs showing flashes of pink, purple, and blue—they add incredible texture and structural depth to the lower areas of your aquascape.
At UKReef Hampshire, we love the Umbrella Mushroom because it is a hardy, easy-to-keep species that offers a totally different aesthetic to the usual soft coral garden!
Quick Care Guide:
Care Level: Very Easy. Excellent for beginners and highly forgiving of minor water parameter swings. They prefer slightly nutrient-rich water.
Temperament: Semi-aggressive. They will slowly expand and can shade or sting other corals nearby. Give them a little room to grow.
Placement: Bottom of the tank. They are happiest nestled into rock crevices, on a piece of rubble on the sandbed, or under slight overhangs.
Lighting: Low. ⚠️ Important: Unlike some other mushrooms, Discosoma neglecta does not appreciate bright light. If the lighting is too intense, they will shrink in size or bleach. Keep them shaded or low in the tank to keep them fully expanded and happy.
Water Flow: Low to Gentle. They need just enough flow to keep detritus from settling inside their cup shape. If the flow is too strong, the mushroom will detach itself from its rock and float around your tank until it finds a calmer, shadier spot!
Feeding: Fully photosynthetic, so they will thrive just on your reef lights. However, they are surprisingly good eaters! They will gladly fold up and consume small meaty foods like Mysis shrimp or LPS pellets if you gently target feed them once a week.
