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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 due to their ability to move and relocate themselves, making them exclusive to substrate placement to prevent them from detaching.
Demands and Hardiness (Setup)
Fungia Plate corals require a moderate to high lighting level, with a recommended longer acclimation period for intense lighting such as metal halides. They exhibit better coloration under brighter light conditions. In terms of water flow, moderate to strong movement is suitable, with an emphasis on placing them on the substrate as they can dislodge themselves and 'jump' off rocks.
Lighting
Fungia Plate corals thrive under moderate to high lighting conditions, displaying enhanced coloration with brighter light sources like metal halides.
Water Flow
Moderate to strong water movement is preferred for Fungia Plate corals, although they can tolerate fairly intense flow. Care should be taken to secure them on the substrate to prevent accidental detachment.
Feeding
While primarily photosynthetic, Fungia Plate corals are also effective feeders that benefit from regular spot feeding of large meaty foods such as shrimp and krill. It is essential to avoid feeding chunks of food that are too large for the coral to consume.
Propagation
Propagation of Fungia Plate corals involves successful fragmentation, although asexual reproduction is a slow process. Despite efforts to aquaculture them, cost-effective mass propagation remains challenging. When fragmented, the pieces take a considerable amount of time to reshape. Future methods like sexual reproduction may offer more sustainable propagation options.
Localization & Habitat
Plate corals like Fungia are commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region, including locations such as Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. Most Fungia specimens available are typically sourced from Australia.