Ctenactis echinata

An uncommon tongue shaped fungiid which grows very large.

Cycloseris cyclolites

A common moderate energy coral

Cycloseris patelliformis

A common moderate energy coral

Cycloseris tenuis

A common moderate energy coral

Cycloseris tenuis

A common moderate energy coral

Cycloseris tenuis

Cycloseris can sometimes have rather long tentacles.

Cycloseris tenuis

This is a rare brilliant red specimen.

Cycloseris somervillei

A common moderate energy coral

Cycloseris somervillei

A common moderate energy coral

Diaseris fragilis

A common moderate energy coral

Fungia danai

A common moderate energy coral

Fungia fralinae

A common moderate energy coral

Fungia klunzingeri

A common moderate energy coral

Fungia paumotensis

A common moderate energy coral

Fungia repanda

A common moderate energy coral

Fungia repanda

Close up view of the coral's edge

Fungia

Fungia can reproduce through budding of stalked juveniles.

Fungia scutaria

This Fungia hails from Hawaii

Fungia scutaria

A common moderate energy coral

Halomitra pileus

A common moderate energy coral

Halomitra pileus

A common moderate energy coral

Heliofungia actiniformis

A common moderate energy coral

Herpolitha limax

A common moderate energy coral

Herpolitha limax

A common moderate energy coral

Lithophyllon

A common moderate energy coral

Polyphyllia talpina

A common moderate energy coral

Polyphyllia talpina

A common moderate energy coral

Sandalolitha robusta

A common moderate energy coral

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Fungiids are are commonly called Fungia, disc and mushroom corals.. Their simple, often solitary body plan makes them well suited for research purposes. They most commonly occur in marginal reef environments such as reef flats and back reefs. Their unique mode of asexual reproduction allows them to become dominant.


The basic body plan of Fungiids is a free-living disc with radial features surrounding a mouth. Cycloseris and Fungia are particularly brilliant genera that are commonly vivid green, orange and fuschia. Many species feature a bright purple perimeter and fuschia colors can develop where a coral has been damaged or stressed. The species can appear 'toothy' if the tentacles are retracted or fleshy if the tentacles are extended.


Fungiids are fairly easy to keep in captivity. They do best in moderate to reduced light and intermediate flow speeds. Fungiids are best placed on a level, flat surface which is often the bottom of an aquarium. They can be aggressive feeders and will readily accept small to large food fares.


Fungiids have a strong, dense skeleton which is best fragmented with a specialized stone cutting tool. Fragments of single mouth specimens need tissue from the mouth to do well in the long term. Cycloseris is not suited for fragmentation. If a coral becomes stressed or damaged it can produce buds which detach and grow into perfect miniatures of the parent.