Mycedium Coral

Natural Habitat and Location in the Wild

Mycedium corals are found in the Indo-Pacific region, including Australia, Indonesia, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. They naturally occur in deeper reef slopes and shaded lagoon areas, where they encrust rocky substrates under moderate to low light and gentle water flow.

Why Choose Mycedium for Your Reef Tank?

• Beautiful, Fluorescent Colors – Enhances reef aesthetics with glowing hues under actinic lighting.
• Plating & Encrusting Growth – Fills out rockwork, creating a layered reef structure.
• Moderate Care Level – Requires stable conditions but adapts well to reef tanks.
• Aggressive Sweeper Tentacles – Requires careful placement away from other corals.

Optimal Water Parameters

Maintaining stable water conditions ensures the best health and coloration for Mycedium:

Regular water changes (10-15% weekly) help maintain stability and prevent nutrient imbalances.

Tank Size and Setup

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons or larger.
• Placement: Prefers lower to mid-level areas of the tank with moderate flow.
• Substrate Considerations: Best placed on rockwork or frag racks, ensuring enough space for sweeper tentacle expansion.

Lighting Requirements

Mycedium corals thrive under low to moderate lighting, which helps maintain their deep fluorescence while preventing bleaching.

• PAR Range: 80-150 PAR
• Lighting Type: LED, T5, or hybrid setups with blue-spectrum emphasis.
• Lighting Schedule: 8-10 hours per day, with gradual intensity transitions.

Water Flow and Circulation

• Moderate, indirect water flow ensures proper polyp expansion.
• Avoid strong, direct currents, which can cause tissue recession.
• Randomized flow patterns help prevent detritus buildup and enhance nutrient absorption.

Feeding and Nutrition

Mycedium benefits from both photosynthesis and direct feeding, absorbing nutrients through its polyps.

• Preferred Foods: Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, reef roids, and amino acids.
• Feeding Frequency: 2-3 times per week enhances growth and coloration.
• Best Feeding Method: Target feeding at night when tentacles extend.

Tank Mates and Compatibility

• Safe Companions: Clownfish, gobies, blennies, shrimp, and snails.
• Caution With: Other LPS corals—Mycedium has long sweeper tentacles that can sting neighbors.
• Avoid: Aggressive fish like certain angelfish and butterflyfish, which may nip at polyps.

Growth Rate and Propagation

• Moderate growth rate, spreading as an encrusting or plating structure.
• Fragging Method: Use a bandsaw or bone cutter to create clean fragments for propagation.

Common Diseases and How to Prevent Them

• Brown Jelly Disease – A bacterial infection requiring iodine dips and improved water quality.
• Tissue Recession – Often caused by unstable parameters or excessive flow.
• Algae Overgrowth – Can smother the coral if excess nutrients are present.

Handling and Acclimation

• Drip acclimation is recommended to gradually adjust the coral to new water conditions.
• Minimize handling, as tissue damage can lead to infection.

Maintenance and Cleaning

• Perform weekly water changes (10-15%) to maintain water quality.
• Remove detritus buildup around the coral to prevent bacterial infections.

Signs of Stress and How to Address Them

• Shrunken or receding tissue – May indicate poor water quality, excessive flow, or aggression from nearby corals.
• Faded or bleached coloration – Reduce light intensity and increase feeding.
• Overgrowth on unwanted areas – Frag and relocate colonies to prevent excessive spread.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Bleaching – Caused by excessive light exposure; move to a lower-light area.
• Pest Infestation – Inspect regularly for flatworms, nudibranchs, or parasitic snails.
• Slow Growth – Increase target feeding and ensure stable alkalinity and calcium levels.