Why does my Flaming Ring Plate Coral “walk” across the sand?

Fungia fungites can inflate/deflate to shift position, avoiding harsh light, debris, or irritating flow. It also puffs up to shed sand. If it’s moving frequently, check for hotspots or gritty substrate and adjust flow to a gentle, laminar pattern that keeps detritus off without lifting the coral. Clear sand with a turkey baster and give it a clear, smooth area to prevent tissue abrasion.

Is it safe to place this plate coral on rockwork?

It’s best kept on the sandbed. On rough rock, the underside tissue can scrape as it inflates, leading to infections or recession. If you must elevate it, use a smooth, wide pedestal and ensure no sharp edges. Keep flow moderate so it stays clean but isn’t tumbling, and allow expansion space all around the rim.

My plate looks dead, but tiny disks are sprouting on the old skeleton. What’s happening?

Fungia fungites can produce anthocauli (baby plates) from the old skeleton or remaining tissue. Don’t discard it. Place the skeleton in a clean, low-turbulence area with moderate light, siphon off detritus, and keep parameters stable. Light target-feeding small meaty foods helps. Once juveniles reach a safe size, they can be separated gently if desired.

How can I feed it effectively without causing stress or injury?

Offer small, appropriately sized meaty foods (mysis, finely chopped seafood) 1–2 times weekly. Turn off flow, place food near the mouth, and guard it with a feeding dome or hand to prevent fish theft. Avoid oversized pieces that tear tissue. Resume gentle flow after it’s swallowed. Consistent feeding supports recovery from bleaching or minor damage.

TSA Flaming Ring Aquacultured Plate Coral

Plate Coral LPS

Overview

Flaming Ring Plate Coral shows a flat, circular disc with radiating ridges and a bright ringed pattern. Fungia fungites is a solitary, free-living stony plate coral that does best under moderate light and gentle to moderate, indirect flow. It relies on symbiotic algae for most nutrition but accepts small meaty foods, which can boost growth and color. Place it on open sand with space around it, as it can inflate and move and may extend short stinging tentacles at night.

Quick Facts

Care Moderate

Lighting Moderate

Flow Moderate

Placement Low

Temperament Semi-aggressive (4–6 inches spacing)

Recommended Parameters

Temp 76–82°F

pH 8.1–8.4

Salinity 1.025–1.026

Calcium 400–450 ppm

AlkAlkalinity 8–10 dKH

Magnesium 1280–1350 ppm

Feeding photosynthetic, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, small krill pieces, copepods, zooplankton, microplankton/powdered coral foods

Care & Placement

Flaming Ring Plate Coral (Fungia fungites) does best on the sandbed with open space around it, as it is a free-living LPS that inflates and can move slightly. Provide moderate light (PAR ~80–150); start low and increase over 1–2 weeks to avoid bleaching. Flow should be gentle to moderate and indirect—enough to keep detritus off the disc without flipping the coral. Target feed 1–2 times weekly with small meaty foods (mysis, chopped prawn, reef roe); feed after lights out when feeding tentacles extend. Stable water is key: temperature 75–79°F (24–26°C), salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.02–0.08 ppm. Monitor with reliable test kits and correct slowly to avoid swings.Place on soft sand, not sharp rock, to prevent tissue abrasion; use a small coral ring or flat tile if your sand shifts. Give 4–6 inches of clearance from neighbors—this coral can sting at night. Keep hermits and large snails from climbing on it, as they may cause damage or flip it. Acclimate by drip method and light acclimation. Common issues: bleaching from excess light, tissue recession from unstable alkalinity or very low nutrients, and brown jelly infections after injury—siphon and iodine dip if caught early. Use a turkey baster weekly to blow off debris, and check for a gaping mouth as a stress sign.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the TSA Flaming Ring Aquacultured Plate Coral

Why does my Flaming Ring Plate Coral “walk” across the sand?

Fungia fungites can inflate/deflate to shift position, avoiding harsh light, debris, or irritating flow. It also puffs up to shed sand. If it’s moving frequently, check for hotspots or gritty substrate and adjust flow to a gentle, laminar pattern that keeps detritus off without lifting the coral. Clear sand with a turkey baster and give it a clear, smooth area to prevent tissue abrasion.
Is it safe to place this plate coral on rockwork?

It’s best kept on the sandbed. On rough rock, the underside tissue can scrape as it inflates, leading to infections or recession. If you must elevate it, use a smooth, wide pedestal and ensure no sharp edges. Keep flow moderate so it stays clean but isn’t tumbling, and allow expansion space all around the rim.
My plate looks dead, but tiny disks are sprouting on the old skeleton. What’s happening?

Fungia fungites can produce anthocauli (baby plates) from the old skeleton or remaining tissue. Don’t discard it. Place the skeleton in a clean, low-turbulence area with moderate light, siphon off detritus, and keep parameters stable. Light target-feeding small meaty foods helps. Once juveniles reach a safe size, they can be separated gently if desired.
How can I feed it effectively without causing stress or injury?

Offer small, appropriately sized meaty foods (mysis, finely chopped seafood) 1–2 times weekly. Turn off flow, place food near the mouth, and guard it with a feeding dome or hand to prevent fish theft. Avoid oversized pieces that tear tissue. Resume gentle flow after it’s swallowed. Consistent feeding supports recovery from bleaching or minor damage.