Plate Corals

Fungia, Cycloseris, Diaseris spp.

💧Low to Moderate Flow

☀️Low to Moderate Light

⭐Beginner to Intermediate Difficulty

Plate Coral is a fascinating large polyp stony (LPS) coral admired for its vibrant colors and unusual behavior. These corals are disc-shaped, typically solitary, and free-living—resting on sandbeds or flat surfaces rather than attaching to rock like most other corals. Available in vivid shades of orange, green, pink, and purple, they feature fleshy, radiating tentacles that extend from a central mouth. One of their most unique traits is mobility: Plate Corals can slowly move across the substrate and even inflate themselves to flip upright if turned over. With their bold colors, distinctive shape, and unique characteristic, they add both interest and personality to your reef’s lower zones.

Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Cnidaria
Class	Anthozoa
Order	Scleractinia
Family	Fungiidae
Genus	Fungia, Cycloseris, Diaseris
Species	Multiple, including: Cycloseris tenuis Cycloseris hexagonalis Fungia repanda Fungia fungites Fungia fungites

'Plate Coral' is a general term that covers several free-living LPS corals, most commonly from the Fungia, Cycloseris, and Diaseris genera.

Quick Care Tips

Lighting

Low to Moderate

Low

Moderate

High

Flow

Low to Moderate

Low

Moderate

High

Difficulty

Beginner to Intermediate

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Plate Corals move?

Yes, Plate Corals can slowly move by inflating and contracting their tissue. This allows them to right themselves if flipped or shift slightly to find better conditions.

Where should I place Plate Coral in my tank?

Place Plate Corals on the sand bed or a rubble zone with plenty of space around them. Avoid sharp substrate and ensure they're not shaded by rockwork or aggressive neighbors.

Do Plate Corals need feeding?

While they derive some nutrition from photosynthesis, Plate Corals benefit from occasional feedings of meaty foods like mysis shrimp or reef-appropriate pellets. Feeding can enhance growth and coloration.

Marketplace Overview

Current Listings: 112
Lowest Price: $19
Highest Price: $439
Median Price: $100

Shop over 112 Plate Corals

Top Sellers

Queen City Corals 28 Plate Listings	28 listings
Top Shelf Aquatics 25 Plate Listings	25 listings
World Wide Corals 14 Plate Listings	14 listings
Corals.com 13 Plate Listings	13 listings
Vivid Aquariums 11 Plate Listings	11 listings
Coral Stop 8 Plate Listings	8 listings

How to Choose a Healthy Plate Coral

Tissue Health:
Look for full, inflated tissue with no signs of recession, tears, or exposed skeleton. A healthy Plate Coral will appear plump and responsive to tank motion or light touch.
Coloration:
Choose specimens with vibrant, saturated colors and even pigmentation. Dull or faded colors may indicate stress or poor lighting history.
Polyp Extension:
Look for corals with tentacles visibly extended. Healthy Plate Corals often show gentle movement and respond to light or touch. A withdrawn or unresponsive coral may indicate stress or poor acclimation.

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