Plate Coral Care Guide

Plate Corals possess the remarkable ability to move across substrate by inflating and contracting their fleshy tissue, traveling up to 12 inches per day when seeking preferred conditions. Plate Corals use this mobility to right themselves if overturned, relocate away from aggressive neighbors, or find optimal lighting and flow positions within the aquarium.

Plate Coral movement resembles anemone locomotion, with specimens capable of climbing rock slopes at angles up to 30 degrees when motivated to relocate. Reef keepers should expect newly placed Plate Corals to explore their surroundings before settling into a preferred position, sometimes moving considerable distances from their initial placement.

Plate Corals require placement on sand beds or rubble zones where they can rest unattached with 4-6 inches of clear space separating them from neighboring corals. Plate Corals prefer medium to coarse substrate over fine sand, as powder-fine sand irritates their tissue when water movement deposits particles on their disc surface.

Plate Coral placement benefits from positioning on flat rocks or coral rubble pieces set into the sand bed, elevating the specimen slightly to prevent debris accumulation while maintaining the low-tank position the species prefers. Reef keepers should avoid placing Plate Corals where strong direct flow will push them across the substrate or where rockwork shadows reduce lighting below 50 PAR.

Plate Corals benefit significantly from regular target feeding despite deriving partial nutrition from photosynthetic zooxanthellae, with fed specimens displaying better coloration, tissue fullness, and long-term survival than unfed corals. Plate Corals accept mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, reef roids, and other meaty foods placed anywhere on their disc surface, using their tentacles to transport food to the central mouth.

Plate Coral feeding works best at night when tentacles extend fully, with reef keepers target-feeding 2-3 times per week for optimal results. Plate Corals rank among the most aggressive feeders in reef aquariums, readily capturing and consuming food items that contact their tentacles.

Plate Corals display semi-aggressive behavior through toxic mucus secretion that damages neighboring corals within reach, requiring minimum spacing of 4-6 inches from other species. Plate Coral aggression increases when specimens inflate to double their resting size, extending their effective reach and potential for contact with tank mates.

Plate Corals tolerate other Plate Corals well, often coexisting peacefully when specimens contact each other, making it possible to keep multiple Fungia in proximity without the chemical warfare directed at other coral species. Reef keepers maintaining mixed reef aquariums should monitor Plate Coral movement patterns and adjust spacing when specimens relocate toward vulnerable neighbors.

Plate Corals remain closed when experiencing stress from excessive water flow, inappropriate lighting, debris accumulation, or recent contact with aggressive tank mates. Plate Coral tissue recession and failure to extend tentacles commonly results from placement in high-flow areas where current presses flesh against the skeleton, or from fine sand particles depositing on the disc surface.

Plate Corals may take several days to resume normal extension after relocation or environmental changes, and reef keepers should allow 1-2 weeks of observation before assuming problems require intervention. Plate Coral specimens showing exposed skeleton, brown jelly formation, or persistent mouth gaping indicate serious decline requiring immediate assessment of water parameters and potential quarantine.

Plate Coral tissue loss results from bacterial infections like brown jelly disease, contact with aggressive corals, parameter instability, or chronic stress from improper flow and lighting conditions. Plate Corals are susceptible to brown jelly disease, a bacterial infection appearing as dark gelatinous material on tissue that spreads rapidly and can affect other corals in the system.

Plate Coral tissue recession often begins around the central mouth area when specimens experience stress, potentially triggered by alkalinity swings, low pH below 8.0, or contact with stinging corals like Euphyllia species. Reef keepers noticing early tissue loss should verify parameters, reduce flow if excessive, and consider iodine dips for bacterial infections while improving overall water quality.