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Heliofungia (Long Tentacle Plate Coral)

Heliofungia actiniformis(Quoy & Gaimard, 1833)Species

Solitary LPS coral with long tentacles resembling anemones. Clownfish may host in it. Placed on sand — beautiful long tentacles swaying in current.

Heliofungia (Long Tentacle Plate Coral) (Heliofungia actiniformis)
© Diego DelsoCC BY-SA 4.0Source

Names & Synonyms

  • CommonHeliofungia (Long Tentacle Plate Coral)
  • Commonナガレハナサンゴ属
  • SynonymFungia actiniformis
  • SynonymFungia actiniformis var. crassitentaculata
  • SynonymFungia actiniformis var. palawensis
  • SynonymFungia actiniformis var. salawattensis
  • SynonymFungia actiniformis var. singapurensis

Overview

Heliofungia actiniformis (family Fungiidae) is a solitary, free-living coral from sandy bottoms and lagoons of the Indo-Pacific whose long, extended tentacles closely resemble a sea anemone. It rests unattached on the sand and continuously extends and waves long, thick, color-tipped tentacles, earning the name long-tentacle plate coral. Colors include greens, browns, pinks, and purples. Provide moderate lighting and gentle to moderate flow, and place it directly on the sand. It is delicate, easily damaged, and sensitive to shipping and handling stress, making it a somewhat challenging species. Its long tentacles can sting and harm nearby corals, so allow adequate spacing. Feeding once or twice weekly maintains health and coloration.

Care Specifications

TypeLPS
Temperature24〜27℃
Specific gravity1.023〜1.025
Salinity33〜35 ppt
KH (carbonate hardness)8〜12 dKH
Calcium (Ca)400〜450 mg/L
Magnesium (Mg)1280〜1350 mg/L
LightingMedium
Water flowLow
PlacementBottom

Care Points

  • LightingMedium. Keep on sand bottom
  • FlowLow to medium. Just enough to gently sway tentacles
  • FeedingPlace chopped food on tentacles. 2-3 times per week
  • NotesCan move around. Place on stable sand bed

Regulatory & Conservation

CITES:
Appendix II
Notes:
イシサンゴ目(Heliofungia actiniformis, Fungiidae)。CITES 附属書II。IUCN は近年再評価で変動(旧VU→2022.2 報告で LC)あり確定値は欠落。

Sources

Related corals of the same type

Related care articles

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