Long Tentacle Plate care guide
Long Tentacle Plate (Heliofungia actiniformis) — reef coral, 24-26 °C, PAR 75-150, salinity 1.024-1.026.
Overview
Heliofungia actiniformis is a free-living plate coral with long anemone-like tentacles that remain extended day and night. The species is sensitive to handling and parameter swings and is considered an advanced LPS.
Taxonomy
- Family: Fungiidae
- Genus: Heliofungia
- Scientific name: Heliofungia actiniformis
- Common synonyms: Heliofungia, Disc Anemone Coral
Habitat
Native to the tropical Indo-Pacific. Wild colonies rest on soft-sediment lagoonal bottoms and back-reef areas with gentle flow and filtered light.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- Salinity (SG): 1.024-1.026
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Alkalinity (dKH): 8-11
- Calcium: 400-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Phosphate (max): 0.03 ppm
- Nitrate (max): 5 ppm
Placement and lighting
- Lighting (PAR): 75-150 PAR
- Flow: low
- Recommended tank age: 6 months
- Growth rate: 0.05-0.2 cm/mo
Place directly on a fine sandbed in the lower aquarium. Low flow prevents tissue tearing; moderate light is preferred. Do not place on rock, where the underside tissue would be damaged.
Feeding
Photosynthetic but strongly responsive to spot-feeding. Mysis, brine shrimp and reef-roids one to three times per week with amino-acid supplements support tissue and tentacle health.
Compatibility
Moderately aggressive via stinging tentacles. Maintain a clear buffer around the colony and avoid contact with other corals during settling. Reef-safe with shrimp and fish.
Care notes
Sensitive — many specimens decline within months in suboptimal systems. Stable alkalinity, low nitrates and consistent salinity are required. Quarantine new arrivals to check for jelly disease.