Coral Care Info Fungia Plate Coral

Fungia Plate corals, also known as Plate corals or Long Tentacle Plate corals, are unique free-living large polyp stony corals that are highly prized for their round shape, vibrant coloration, and flowing tentacles. Unlike many other LPS corals, Fungia are not attached to rock structures and instead rest directly on the sand bed. Their ability to inflate, move slightly, and display long tentacles makes them a standout addition to reef aquariums.

Care Requirements

Lighting (PAR Range)

• Fungia Plate corals do best in the 50-120 PAR range.
• Moderate to lower lighting helps maintain color without causing stress.
• Too much light can lead to bleaching or tissue damage.
• Always acclimate new specimens slowly, especially pieces from new arrival corals.

Flow

• Low to moderate, indirect flow is ideal.
• Flow should be gentle enough to avoid flipping or damaging the coral.
• Too much flow can prevent proper inflation and extension.
• Light movement helps keep debris from settling on the coral surface.

Placement

• Best placed directly on the sand bed.
• Do not place Fungia on rockwork, as sharp edges can damage the underside.
• Allow space around the coral since it can expand significantly.
• Placement should be planned carefully in tanks with small polyp stonies corals to avoid accidental contact.

Aggression

• Moderately aggressive.
• Can extend tentacles that sting nearby corals.
• Needs space from surrounding corals to prevent damage.
• Should not be crowded in densely packed reef layouts.

Growth Rate

• Slow to moderate growth rate.
• Can expand significantly in size rather than rapidly dividing.
• Healthy specimens may develop new growth over time.
• Stable water parameters support long-term health and size increase.

Feeding

Fungia Plate corals respond very well to feeding and often show noticeable improvement in growth and expansion when regularly fed. While they are photosynthetic, they actively capture food using their tentacles. Newly added specimens from newest corals should be allowed to settle before heavy feeding begins.

• Feed meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, or chopped seafood.
• Target feeding once or twice per week is usually sufficient.
• Ensure food is captured fully to prevent waste from drifting away.

Tank Compatibility

Fungia corals are generally compatible with many reef setups but must be given space due to their ability to expand and sting nearby corals. They are best kept on open sand beds where they are not restricted. In tanks that include soft corals or spreading colonies like zoanthids, it is important to maintain distance to avoid contact.

• Keep on open sand away from rockwork and aggressive neighbors.
• Avoid placing corals directly above them that could fall or shift.
• Ensure stable placement so the coral is not flipped or buried.

Common Problems

• Damage to the underside from improper placement on rock.
• Bleaching due to excessive lighting.
• Failure to inflate caused by strong flow or stress.
• Injury from falling rocks or unstable placement.

Tips for Success

• Always place Fungia on soft sand to protect the underside.
• Provide gentle flow that allows full inflation.
• Feed regularly to support growth and health.
• Keep stable water parameters and avoid sudden changes.
• Give the coral space to expand fully without interference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fungia corals move?
Yes, Fungia corals can slowly shift position by inflating and deflating their tissue. This helps them adjust to light and flow conditions.

Do Fungia need to be placed on sand?
Yes, Fungia should always be placed on the sand bed. Placing them on rock can damage their underside and lead to long-term issues.

How often should I feed a Fungia coral?
Feeding once or twice per week is usually enough. Regular feeding can improve growth and expansion.

Why is my Fungia not inflating?
This can be caused by too much flow, excessive lighting, or recent stress. Reviewing placement and tank conditions usually helps resolve the issue.

Fungia Plate corals are a unique and rewarding addition to reef aquariums, offering movement, bold coloration, and a different growth style compared to attached corals. With proper placement on the sand bed and stable conditions, they can thrive and become a standout feature in the tank. You can explore similar species in our large polyp stonies corals collection, browse larger specimens in our new arrival coral colonies, discover standout pieces in our featured corals, learn about our systems on our facility page, and stay updated through the Extreme Corals news and updates blog.