Sub zero rhodactis mushroom

Redbird5 · Aug 4, 2026

Today I got my sub zero rhodactis mushroom from TidalGardens. I just want to say what a wonderful company they are. Everything I bought from them is healthy and thriving, a week later and they offer excellent customer service.

My question is how dark of an area can they live in? The second picture is where I want to put it. I added it to my aquarium at lunchtime but didn't have time to scuba dive, rearrange architecture and tell my skunk cleaner shrimp that now isn't the best time for him to inspect my hand.
Is the area I want to place it too dark? Should flow be more important than light? I know that rhodactis mushrooms can move on their own.

Tahoe61 · Wednesday at 11:21 AM

The Rhodactis looks already bleached from intense lighting. I would not put it under the overhang. Definitely an area with lower par, partially shaded.
Moderately lower flow for now. IMO lighting is more important.
Vivid probaby has specific husbandry recommendations regarding Rhodactis on their site.

Lighting brand and intensity?

I am a huge fan of Vivid.

Redbird5 · Wednesday at 11:23 AM

Tahoe61 said:
The Rhodactis looks already bleached from intense lighting. I would not put it under the overhang. Definitely an area with lower par, partially shaded.
Moderately lower flow for now. IMO lighting is more important.
Vivid probaby has specific husbandry recommendations regarding Rhodactis on their site.

I am a huge fan of Vivid.

It arrived yesterday morning. the picture was taken while I was acclimating it.

Tahoe61 · Wednesday at 11:27 AM

Redbird5 said:
It arrived yesterday morning. the picture was taken while I was acclimating it.

I get that lol. Regardless the coral looks to have lost zooxanthellae. The cause could be shipping or over illumination prior to you acquiring the piece.

Redbird5 · Wednesday at 1:21 PM

Tahoe61 said:
I get that lol. Regardless the coral looks to have lost zooxanthellae. The cause could be shipping or over illumination prior to you acquiring the piece.

Here's a picture of it today.

Aquadude1 · Wednesday at 1:39 PM

I agree that it looks bleached. Lowish light should help. Maybe occasional feeding

ColorMeGone · Wednesday at 1:40 PM

Mine like 50-150 par. The one in the middle of the pic is supposed to be a sub zero. Your looks like yours is coloring up. I would keep it on the bottom of the tank for a bit. Mine color up nice under heavy blues. I have at least 35 Rhodactis shrooms now.
Started out with about 4. lol

Redbird5 · Wednesday at 5:18 PM

I did talk to Tidal Gardens about it and they said it was bleached. Recommended that I move it under some shade and feed it reef roids and other foods to help it recover. They've been an amazing company to work with. They sent me the wrong coral first and then shipped the right (my sub zero rhodactius) one for free and have made things correct. I really like them.