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Coral Guide |  |
Family: Fungiidae (Stony Corals)
Habitat: Reef slopes and flats between lagoons and reefs. They prefer soft substrates to grow from.
Light: High Water Flow: Medium Space: 50+ gal.
Reef Safe: Yes Care Level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: These corals have zooxanthellae which provide much of their nutrition. It is believed they also feed on microzooplankton and directly absorb some nutrients from the water.
Natural History: Long Tentacle Plate Coral have oval, radially-ridged, dome-shaped skeletons, similar to the Fungia. Their tentacles are longer than in Fungia and have expanded contrasting-color tips. They are anemone-like in overall appearance. Their tentacles rely heavily on feeding for nutrition.
Husbandry: The Heliofungia are more delicate than their close cousins, the Fungia. They should be handled with care and placed in an aquarium away from other corals. Their tentacles may reach 8 inches in length. They are easily injured by the nematocysts of other corals. They are thought to thrive on soft substrates with low to moderate water flow, with bright light. They are also thought to require feeding. At least one species of commensal shrimp, Periclimenes kororensis associated with this genus. This genus is resistant to coral bleaching.
AKA: Disc Coral, Mushroom Coral