Plate Coral

Plate coral (genera Fungia, Heliofungia, family Fungiidae) are solitary, free-living stony corals with a flat disc or oval shape bearing radiating septa. Distributed across reef slopes and sandy substrates of the Indo-Pacific, adults move freely across the sand bed without attachment to hard substrate. Colony diameter reaches 10–30 cm in shades of brown, green, pink, and grey. In aquaria, they are placed directly on the sand bed under moderate lighting (150–250 PAR) with gentle to moderate flow. Although they can right themselves if overturned, prolonged inversion is harmful. Weekly target feeding with small meaty foods promotes healthy growth, and they are generally hardy for beginners.

Photosynthesis, Plankton