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Datasheet
| Care Description | Fungia Plate corals are one of the few types of large polyp stony corals capable of moving themselves and relocating. There is a reason they are kept on the substrate exclusively. If plate corals are placed on the aquascape, they will jump off of your rock work! Please see below for additional care tips for Fungia. |
| Water Flow | Moderate - Strong |
| Temperature | 22.2°C / 71.96°F - 25.6°C / 78.08°F |
| Specific Gravity | 1.023-1.026 |
| Carbonate Hardness | 8-12 |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
General Description
Fungia Plate corals are unique among large polyp stony corals for their ability to move themselves, necessitating exclusive placement on the substrate to prevent them from detaching and relocating. They typically exhibit a dome-shaped structure, with an average diameter of 1 inch or larger, and are commonly found in green coloration.
Demands and Hardiness
Fungia Plate corals require moderate to high lighting for optimal health, with a preference for longer acclimation periods to intense lighting sources like metal halides. They thrive in moderate to strong water flow conditions, though they can endure fairly robust currents. It is crucial to position Fungia on the tank floor due to their unique mobility, as they can dislodge themselves from rocks if placed on the aquascape.
Lighting
These corals thrive under medium to high lighting conditions, showing slightly enhanced coloration under brighter light sources. Acclimating them slowly to intense lighting is advisable to ensure their well-being and prevent stress-related issues.
Water Flow
Moderate water movement is recommended for Fungia Plate corals, although they can tolerate stronger currents. Placing them on the substrate is crucial to prevent them from detaching and relocating on their own, making them stand out among corals for their mobility.
Feeding
While photosynthetic, Fungia are excellent feeders and benefit greatly from spot feeding with medium to large-sized meaty foods such as Mysis and Krill. Care should be taken not to feed them oversized food chunks that they cannot easily consume, ensuring their nutrition and overall health.
Propagation
Propagation of Fungia corals through fragmentation has shown success, but asexual reproduction remains a slow process. Despite efforts to aquaculture them, cost-effective propagation methods are still under development. Fragmenting or cutting them into smaller pieces may result in a prolonged period for them to regain their characteristic round shape, presenting challenges for sustainable captive breeding efforts.
Localization & Habitat
Plate corals of the Fungia genus are predominantly found in the Indo-Pacific region, including locations like Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. The majority of these corals are sourced from Australia, where they thrive in the diverse marine ecosystems of the region.