How Do I Know If Mushroom Coral Is Dead?

Caring for Mushroom Coral

• Taking on the responsibility of a live animal or organism means taking on the responsibility of maintaining that organism's environment. Mushroom coral needs a good sandy substrate (growing foundation), live rock in its tank, and an air stone to provide oxygen and circulation. This coral also needs adequate light, which can be direct or indirect, artificial or natural.

  Although mushroom coral can feed itself and maintain its own photosynthesis, it does better if it's regularly fed zooplankton or some other meaty food source (available at fish and aquarium shops). If these growing needs are ignored, there's a good chance that the mushroom coral will die.

Diagnosing Mushroom Coral

• If mushroom coral has been neglected, check its health carefully. One of the most common reasons for a mushroom coral to fail is lack of light. If the coral hasn't received enough light, its foundation will appear larger than normal; this is the organism's natural attempt to "find" light. If a mushroom coral isn't receiving enough nutrition or water circulation, it will become shriveled, closed, dark and even brittle. Mushroom corals that show any of these symptoms might be dead.

  Try to revive your mushroom coral by amending its environment. Add light to the tank using UV lights, take a water sample to a local aquarium shop to have the pH and alkaline levels checked, feed the mushroom coral, and increase the water circulation in the aquarium. If the mushroom coral doesn't respond to any of these attempts to revive it, it's most likely beyond help.