Logo
Please visit our Sponsors
FAQs about Fungiid Coral Identification

Related Articles: Fungiid Corals,

Related FAQs: Fungiid Corals 1, Fungiid Corals 2, Fungiid Behavior, Fungiid Compatibility, Fungiid Selection, Fungiid Systems, Fungiid Feeding, Fungiid Disease, Fungiid Reproduction, Stony/True Coral, Coral System Set-Up, Coral System Lighting, Stony Coral Identification, Stony Coral Selection, Coral Placement, Foods/Feeding/Nutrition, Disease/Health, Propagation, Growing Reef Corals, Stony Coral Behavior,

http://dpc.uba.uva.nl/cgi/t/text/get-pdf?c=ctz%3Bidno%3D8002a02 A molecularly based phylogeny reconstruction of mushroom corals (Scleractinia: Fungiidae) with taxonomic consequences and evolutionary implications for life history traits

Encrusting LPS "Lithophyllon" ID       1/17/16
Hi Crew!
<Dani!>
If you would be so kind, please confirm that this coral at my LFS is actually "kiwi Lithophyllon". They claim it is an encrusting LPS.
<Mmm; encrusting or laminating....>
From what I researched, it is pretty rare and there is very little info on the internet about caring for it. They have it on the bottom shelf and don't target feed it--don't most healthy LPS readily welcome target feedings?
<Mmm; well; IF there's sufficient chemical and particulate foods in the water; target feeding isn't necessary; and can lead to eutrophication>
The Lithophyllon I found on your site appears to reference a plate coral?
On the net I found some called Lithophyllon undulatum, looks more like that.
<Yes; this is the more common species of this genus that I've run across... more so than L. mokai, others>
I just want to ensure I am getting what I paid for, moreover I can take care of it properly! Thank you for any advice on its care!
Dani :)
<Bob Fenner>

Galaxea, and mystery Cnidarian
Crew,
<SP>
I first and foremost would like to thank you for the informative website, and at first I have some good news. I took in a small Galaxea colony that had completely bleached about nine days ago, it was completely transparent except for a few tentacles with had faint green color. Since then here is the color I have seen develop, it also was not exhibiting polyp extension in the old tank. I am frequently surprised at how resilient coral can be.
Anyway, nearly a year ago I emailed about a strange species that appeared in my fish tank attached to a Favites colony I purchased. I thought it was likely Euphyllia of some sort, but it has exhibited non-Euphylliid behavior
I am fairly certain. It underwent rapid division (started with two separate individuals and now have over 15 all differ in size largest is about 3.5 inches) It had tissue that was attached to the rock, but after the skeleton reaches about an inch in diameter it somehow detaches from the rock (including the skeleton) I know I must sound crazy, but the colony also is growing in diameter, but not especially in height. I have had Euphyllia before, and never seen this kind of growth. I will attach the current picture as well as the original I sent in and if more are needed let me know because Im not sure what this is. In hopes all is well,
Bryce
<Might be Euphyllia; perhaps acanthocauli... from a Fungiid: Heliofungia

Bob Fenner>


Re: Galaxea, and mystery Cnidarian
Would a picture with retracted tissue, and more skeleton be more helpful?
<If it was a close up and well-resolved, yes. BobF>

Leaf Plate Coral? – 6/6/12
Dear crew / Bob,
<Dave>
It has been many years since requesting your help, firstly because I spent time away from the hobby after re-locating from Shanghai to sunny Ohio, and secondly due to the vast on-line archives help which is too often over-looked I am sure.
<Ah yes>
However on this occasion I could not find any reference to the problem; or even definitively identify the coral or issue in question. I presently have a 16 month old 75g with 10g sump partitioned with 4" deep live sand and Chaetomorpha, Aqua Medic T1000 skimmer, (2) rotating bags weekly of ½ cup carbon, main tank has (2) 150w MH 14,000K bulbs, 216w T5 actinic mix, 90lb live rock. Conditions are PH 8.0 to 8.2, Salinity 1.025,  Phosphate <0.1ppm, Nitrate <5ppm, Calcium 395, MeqL 4. I do a 20% water change weekly and have had better than my Shanghai experience success with a healthy tank stocked with mainly LPS corals, (2) healthy clams, Regal and Yellow Tang, (2) Allen's Damsels, (2) Banggai Cardinals, Flame Angel (No clam issues), Orange Stripe Prawn Goby. Now to the issue, I saw
in my LFS just South of Toledo the attached pictured 'thing.' The LFS owner who is actually very knowledgeable and helpful could not confirm what type of coral this was, and stated that even his supplier said that he has only seen this very
occasionally but also could not confirm what the coral actually was. I went home and searched on-line and found only 'similar' comparisons to what it looks like.
The closest match I thought was possibly a Montipora, but even that did not seem to form the same shape or surface structure of the coral in question. So my first question would be to ask if you have seen this type of 'plate coral'
before and if so; could you direct me to the resource information about it?
<Mmm, pretty sure this is a Fungiid of the genus Diaseris: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fungiidae.htm
Secondly to the issue, I of course purchased the item because am fascinated with the different things we come across within the hobby; and it had been at the LFS for a few weeks with lots of interest but no takers, mainly as it was not
exactly cheap. However, I thought that I would have a decent chance with the set-up I have, i.e. parameter control and lighting. After discussion with the LFS owner we thought that a mid-tank position would be the suitable approach to
take thinking that this would be a light dependent coral, but not necessarily intense lighting requirements. So I acclimated for (2) weeks lower in the tank to start with and then moved it up to a central location. The problem now, and was apparent in the bottom of the tank also before movement, seems to be that the green 'lines' on the coral are coming away from the base skeleton leaving blotchy areas of the structure. Any assistance with the identification and subsequent requirements would be greatly appreciated before I lose the coral completely.
<I'd "kick up" your dosing of iodide/ate and not move these>
As always, thanks for your continuous dedication and support.
Thanks
Dave
Best regards
<And you, Bob Fenner>

Can you id this for me please   3/18/12
Hi I was wondering if u can help me
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k514/Falat1/DSCN0057.jpg  I got this on a colony of Zoas about 6 months ago it was about 3/4 of an inch now it's grown a bit to this
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k514/Falat1/RSCN0232.jpg  it's now about 1 n half inch if disturbed it puffs up looks like it inflates with water
thanks in advance
Regards
Gary
<Appears to be a (very lovely) Fungiid; a mushroom coral. Bob Fenner>

Re: Can you id this for me please   3/18/12
Thank you for that some people were trying to say it was a Majano or ball nem I appreciate the reply thanks again 
Regards
Gary
<Ahh! Welcome. BobF>

Fungiid Coral ID 5/13/10
Dear Crew,
<Henk>
Is it possible to give an ID for this Fungiid coral I purchased today?
<Appears to be Fungia repanda.>
I am wondering because I read that Fungia Fungites is better placed on the rock or hard substrate (contrary to other Fungiid corals), and because I have seen several pictures of similar looking corals labeled as Fungia
Fungites. So basically my question concerns the placement of this coral...on the sand or on a flat rock?
<These corals should always be placed on a sand bottom, no gravel. Placing on rock or gravel surfaces can be fatal as tissue abrasion can occur through normal polyp cycling.>
As you can see from the picture, the previous owner put it on a gravel substrate. Furthermore, is this a partially bleached specimen or is this a natural coloration?
<Coral appears fine to me, feeding tentacles are extended, etc. May want to read/learn more here.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fungiidae.htm>
Many thanks!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Regards,
Henk Naert

Can You Please ID This? Fungiid 2/4/2010
There has been an interesting debate on a forum site that I belong to as to what this coral actually is. Here is the background on this guy... It popped up off of a Zoanthid rock colony, there are only 2 of them that popped
up. They are VERY colorful, (one having a pinkish/purple color body with a bright pink mouth, and short BRIGHT green "tentacle" type things, the smaller other remained green bodied). They appear to have a skeletal structure
that they retract into when disturbed (see picture). They eat Mysis, and brine shrimp when spot fed. They are both growing bigger and bigger. The Zoanthids that they are living on/amongst are growing and multiplying like crazy,
and seem to be flourishing constantly. I have heard everything from majano anemone,
<No.>
to a Fungia plate coral..
<Yes.>
in my opinion it appears to look more like a plate coral than an anemone (from pictures on the web, and from it
appearing to have a skeleton)..
<Yes, I am in agreement here. If there is skeleton, it is not an anemone.>
but someone said that you would be able to give a definite answer.
<My vote is for a Fungiid.>
Please let me know ASAP because it is driving me crazy!
:)
If you need more pictures just let me know, I have TONS!
<I think it is clear from the photos you've sent, it is a Fungiid.>
-Kevin B
Tallahassee, FL
<Mich L
Gouldsboro, PA><<Well done Mich. B>>

Please ID this Hi, all. I have searched endlessly on your site and can find nothing resembling what I have on a piece of rock in my soft coral tank. First off, This came on a piece of rock that had some mushrooms on it about mid March. These two creatures you see were hardly noticeable when i brought the Shrooms home. I did see it, however and cut the rock to have this as a separate specimen. <Good move> The larger of the two was about the size of a small Zoa when I noticed it. The other was hardly able to be seen. There are a total of 5 of these on the rock and they seem to be localized on this small piece. They do not have a mat and are not connected. <A good clue> The largest one that you see is about the size of a penny, now and the other is catching up. They remain open like you see them almost all the time and will catch mysis to eat. I have seen no sweeper tentacles and they have not physically moved themselves. I feel like I can rule out anemones. There is no hard skeleton that I can see, either. <Mmm, I do> Can you help? <Likely these recruits are Fungiids: http://wetwebmedia.com/fungiidae.htm perhaps Cycloseris sp.> Thank you
Jason
<Thank you for sharing, Bob Fenner>

Odd plate coral -03/25/08 Dear Crew at WWM- I have a quick question about my short tentacle plate coral (Fungia). I have searched for pictures of plate coral that resembles mine. I have 3 (one which grew as a bud) they all have extremely long tentacles that sometimes stretch out 2 inches and are very fat. The only pictures I find of plates have very short tentacles. I don't think they are long tentacle plates because of the shape. I have attached a picture, let me know what you think? <In my opinion, it looks like a very healthy Fungia sp. coral to me. "Short tentacle" plate corals you see in the hobby/captivity are usually not in ideal health, thus their tentacles probably aren't as long/extended as they might be under ideal conditions. Or, you just have a species with longer tentacles. Either way, no, I don't think it's a Heliofungia sp., if that's what you're asking. :-)> Lmecher : )
<Best,
Sara M.>

Can you ID this coral? Fungia 4/9/07 It was a hitchhiker <A nice gift.> and looks to be a young Fungia, <I would agree. More here for your edification: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fungiidae.htm > When I first found it growing on a the side of a zoo rock it was smaller then a dime, <Tiny!> I glued it to its own rock so it would get better lighting. <OK.> It is now the size of a quarter <It's happy!> and if it's a Fungia I don't think gluing it was such a good idea. <Mmm, no probably not.> Can you help ID it <Your ID is correct.> and what should I do, try to unglue it? <No, I would leave well enough alone. It is growing/thriving. The Fungia's ability to move serves it well in its natural environment, but is less essential in an aquarium setting.> Thanks, Diane
<Welcome, Mich>

Plate coral trouble... ID, health bad news 7/12/05 Hello crew, I hope that you can help me identify this coral as either Heliofungia or simply a Fungia. It is seven inches wide, 18 inches from 356 watts of VHO lighting, resting on the sandbed. It seems that a turbo snail or possibly even a blue legged hermit crab has ripped a hole in him. I have given him an iodine dip and tried feeding him DT's live phytoplankton and minced shrimp and scallops. Its mucus has caught the food up, but has yet to swallow it. Any help is appreciated. Thanks. <Take a look: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fungiidae.htm and the linked files at top... almost certainly a Heliofungia. Bob Fenner>

- Plate Coral Squirtin' Out Stuff - Hello, This is my 10th day with a plate coral. It was doing fine in the pet shop. After the third day in my house it has excreted out a white substance. <Maybe just poo?> The tentacles are often retracted, which I understand to be either unhappiness or a sign of sickness. Can you please help me understand what is going on? I have gone on the Internet, read referenced several books, consulted with various pet representatives. We do not have a good answer. <Well, a "plate coral" is usually one of two things; a Heliofungia or a Fungia. Heliofungia sp. have long tentacles and do very poorly in captivity, usually due to damage and subsequent infection. Fungia have short tentacles and are pretty bullet proof. Please identify this critter so I can give you a better answer; Aquarium Corals by Borneman or Corals: a quick reference guide by sprung are quick and easy references for an easy ID such as this. -Kevin> Thanks for your help.

Become a Sponsor Features:
Daily FAQs FW Daily FAQs SW Pix of the Day FW Pix of the Day New On WWM
Helpful Links Hobbyist Forum Calendars Admin Index Cover Images
Featured Sponsors: