Long Tentacle Plate Coral

Heliofungia is a free-living plate coral on the sand with one of the largest polyps of any coral. Because of its long, thick tentacles that stay open day and night, it is often mistaken for an anemone; the difference from an anemone is that there is a hard skeleton beneath the tentacles. By inflating its body with water it can move around and clean itself when buried under sand. Wild-collected individuals are easily injured in shipping and their wounds heal poorly. Its trade is subject to CITES Appendix II; if possible, look for a maricultured individual.

• Light: Moderate, about 75–200 PAR.
• Flow: Low to moderate and indirect; the long tentacles should not be blown about.
• Placement: Only on the sand, away from rock and ledges; if it bumps into rock or falls, it gets injured.
• Water parameters: Salinity 1.024–1.026, KH 7–10 dKH, calcium 400–450 mg/L, magnesium 1250–1350 mg/L; stability is very important.

It is photosynthetic, but in the long run it needs regular supplemental feeding. At least once or twice a week, place mysis, chopped shrimp or fish flesh between the tentacles, near the mouth.

Its long tentacles sting, and because the coral moves around it can reach its neighbors over time; leave at least 15–20 cm between it and corals on the sand and at the base of the rockwork. Clownfish may host in it like an anemone and wear down the tentacles. Hermit crabs, dwarf angelfish and butterflyfish may pick at the tentacles.