ASD Butter Bounce Mushroom Coral

About This Coral

The ASD Butter Bounce Mushroom Coral (Rhodactis sp.) is an extraordinary collector-grade mushroom coral prized for its distinctive inflated bubble-like vesicles, fascinating surface texture, and brilliant fluorescent coloration. This premium Bounce Mushroom variety offers a unique combination of unusual morphology, vibrant visual appeal, and relatively manageable care requirements, making it a desirable addition to established saltwater reef aquariums.

The ASD Butter Bounce features the characteristic fleshy, disc-shaped body of a Rhodactis mushroom, enhanced by enlarged, rounded vesicles that create its famous “bounce” appearance. These inflated structures rise above the mushroom’s surface, giving the coral an almost otherworldly texture that distinguishes it from ordinary mushroom corals.

Under blue-spectrum reef lighting, the coral’s fluorescent pigments can produce an impressive display, accentuating the contrast between its raised bubbles and surrounding tissue. Individual specimens may exhibit variations in color intensity, vesicle size, and overall appearance, making each Butter Bounce a unique collector’s piece.

The ASD Butter Bounce is a named coral variety associated with Aqua SD (Aquarium Specialty Distributors), known for offering distinctive and premium reef aquarium corals. Its unusual bubble formations and collectible appearance make it particularly appealing to enthusiasts seeking rare mushroom coral morphs.

Unlike stony corals, Rhodactis mushrooms do not produce a rigid calcium carbonate skeleton. Instead, they attach to rockwork or coral rubble using a muscular foot and expand their fleshy oral disc when conditions are favorable.

Despite its exotic appearance, the Butter Bounce Mushroom shares many of the relatively forgiving care characteristics of other Rhodactis corals. It generally thrives under low to moderate lighting and gentle, indirect water movement. Excessively strong flow or intense lighting can cause the coral to contract, lose its inflated appearance, or detach from its mounting surface.

This photosynthetic coral receives most of its energy from symbiotic algae living within its tissues. Occasional supplemental feeding with finely chopped marine foods or specialized coral foods may support healthy tissue development and growth.

When established in a stable reef environment, Bounce Mushrooms can gradually increase in size and reproduce naturally, potentially developing additional colorful specimens over time.

Whether you’re expanding a collection of rare corals, creating a colorful mushroom garden, or searching for an unusual centerpiece for your reef aquarium, the ASD Butter Bounce Mushroom offers spectacular texture, beautiful fluorescence, and exceptional collector appeal.

Features:

• Rare collector-grade Bounce Mushroom prized for its distinctive inflated vesicles and unusual appearance.
• Signature bubble-like formations create raised, rounded structures across the coral’s fleshy surface.
• Brilliant fluorescence under blue lighting enhances the appearance of the mushroom’s pigments and textured tissue.
• Premium ASD-named coral variety valued by collectors for its distinctive ornamental characteristics.
• Unique individual appearance with natural variations in coloration, bubble size, texture, and growth pattern.
• Low to moderate lighting requirements make it suitable for lower sections of established reef aquariums.
• Gentle, indirect water flow encourages full expansion and helps maintain the characteristic inflated vesicles.
• Relatively easy mushroom coral care makes it manageable for aquarists familiar with stable reef aquarium conditions.
• Fleshy, disc-shaped body expands and contracts naturally in response to lighting and environmental conditions.
• Photosynthetic nutrition supplies much of the coral’s energy through symbiotic algae.
• Benefits from occasional supplemental feeding with small meaty foods and appropriate coral supplements.
• Natural reproduction potential may produce additional mushrooms through division or pedal laceration.
• Excellent for collector mushroom gardens and specialty reef aquarium displays.
• No rigid stony skeleton allows the coral to attach naturally to suitable rockwork.
• Compatible with mixed reef aquariums when provided with appropriate placement and spacing.
• Impressive centerpiece potential adds striking texture and unusual bubble formations to reef aquascapes.

Specifications:

• Common name: ASD Butter Bounce Mushroom
• Scientific name: Rhodactis sp. (exact species not confirmed)
• Coral classification: Corallimorpharian / Mushroom Coral
• Order: Corallimorpharia
• Family: Discosomidae
• Coral type: Mushroom Coral
• Trade name: ASD Butter Bounce
• Origin: Indo-Pacific; precise collection origin not confirmed
• Care level: Easy to Moderate
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive through contact or spreading
• Coloration: Collector morph with fluorescent coloration; varies by specimen
• Light: Low to Moderate, approximately 40–120 PAR
• Water flow: Low, gentle and indirect
• Placement: Lower rockwork, isolated rock, or protected substrate area
• Adult size: Variable; individual mushrooms can expand several inches across
• Growth rate: Slow to Moderate, depending on aquarium conditions
• Distinctive characteristics: Enlarged, inflated bubble-like vesicles
• Diet: Photosynthetic; benefits from occasional supplemental feeding
• Recommended foods: Finely chopped mysis shrimp, small meaty foods, and suitable coral foods
• Temperature: 75–80°F (24–27°C)
• pH: 8.1–8.4
• Salinity: 1.024–1.026 SG
• Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH
• Calcium: 400–450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
• Nitrate: Approximately 2–15 ppm
• Phosphate: Approximately 0.03–0.10 ppm
• Reef compatibility: Yes, with adequate spacing
• Propagation: Natural division, pedal laceration, or careful mushroom propagation
• Recommended application: Collector coral displays, specialty mushroom gardens, nano reefs, and established mixed reef aquariums

Feeding and Care Recommendations:

Aquarium Placement

Position the ASD Butter Bounce Mushroom in a lower section of the aquarium where it receives low to moderate lighting and gentle, indirect water flow.

An initial lighting intensity of approximately 40–80 PAR is a reasonable starting point. Gradually adjust the coral’s placement or lighting intensity based on its expansion, coloration, and overall response.

Avoid placing the mushroom directly beneath extremely intense reef lighting, as excessive illumination can cause contraction, bleaching, or reduced vesicle inflation.

Water Flow

Bounce Mushrooms generally prefer gentle circulation that allows their fleshy tissue to remain fully expanded.

Avoid direct flow from powerful wavemakers or return pumps. Strong water movement can cause the mushroom to contract, lose its inflated appearance, or detach from its mounting surface.

Place the coral on a stable rock or protected section of rockwork where it can attach securely without being displaced.

Feeding

The ASD Butter Bounce receives most of its nutritional energy through photosynthesis, so heavy supplemental feeding is unnecessary.

Occasional target feeding with small pieces of mysis shrimp, finely chopped marine foods, or suitable coral food may support healthy growth.

Offer small portions every one to two weeks if the coral demonstrates a feeding response. Avoid placing oversized food particles on the mushroom or allowing uneaten food to accumulate.

Water Quality

Maintain stable salinity, temperature, alkalinity, and nutrient levels.

Avoid excessively nutrient-poor conditions. Mushroom corals generally benefit from stable, low but detectable nitrate and phosphate concentrations.

Sudden changes in water chemistry, lighting, or flow may cause the mushroom to shrink, detach, or lose some of its characteristic bubble inflation.

Spacing and Growth

Provide several inches of separation from neighboring corals, especially aggressive LPS species with long sweeper tentacles.

As the mushroom grows, it may expand across nearby rockwork or reproduce naturally. An isolated mounting rock can help manage its spread and protect surrounding corals.

Important Coral Information:

ASD Butter Bounce is a commercial trade name, not a separate scientifically recognized coral species. The precise Rhodactis species and specific color characteristics cannot be confirmed from the trade name alone.

Bounce Mushroom vesicles may change in size and inflation depending on aquarium lighting, water movement, nutrition, and the coral’s acclimation.

Individual specimens may vary in diameter, bubble formation, coloration, and overall appearance. Photographs taken under blue-spectrum lighting may show stronger fluorescence than the coral displays under white lighting.

Because Bounce Mushrooms are valuable and have delicate fleshy tissues, carefully acclimate new specimens and avoid unnecessary handling or frequent repositioning.

Recommended application: A premium collectible mushroom coral ideal for reef aquarium enthusiasts seeking unusual inflated bubble formations, brilliant fluorescence, and a distinctive centerpiece for an established reef aquarium or specialty mushroom collect