Forked Tentacle Mushroom

Discosoma carlgreni is a mushroom coral that lives in the Caribbean, with a disc surface covered in short, knob-like tentacles. The tips of some of the tentacles split in two, which is why it is called the "forked tentacle mushroom" in English. The disc can reach 5–8 cm across; its color is usually plain green or brown, sometimes with purple or brown mottling. It is less well known than Indo-Pacific Discosoma and found less often in the trade.

• Low light (about 30–100 PAR) and weak flow; it shrinks in too much light and flow.
• The lower zone of the rockwork or shaded ledges.
• Some keepers report that it opens better in relatively cool water (24–25°C).
• Salinity 1.024–1.026; it is not as tolerant of poor water quality as Indo-Pacific mushrooms, and regular water changes are needed.

It is photosynthetic; supplemental feeding is not needed. A small mysis or powdered food can be placed on the disc occasionally.

Its sting is weak, but as it spreads with its discs it can shade neighboring corals and make them recede where it touches. Keep it 10–15 cm away from stony corals. It can be kept with other mushroom corals. Some dwarf angelfish may pick at the discs.