Cycloseris hexagonalis

(Milne Edwards & Haime, 1848)

Plate Coral, Mushroom Coral, Disc Coral, Fungia

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Sumatra, Java, Christmas Island, Philippines, Japan, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands.

Natural Environment: Inhabits soft sandy substrates on reef slopes and lagoon flats, and interconnected sandy reef areas that are protected from strong wave motion and often seen at depths between 10 to 65 feet (3 - 20 m).

General Husbandry: Best placed on a sandy substrate in areas receiving bright light and moderate water movement. Even though photosynthetic, it should be fed at least once per week with meaty foodstuffs, e.g., fortified brine shrimp, mysis, products containing Cyclop-eeze, and/or other marine diced/graded meaty foods. Keep in mind its normally short tentacles are only slightly extended during the day, with further extension occurring in evening hours. Feeding should be at timeframes when tentacles are the most prominent.

Bare in mind these corals are phototaxic (move towards light) and can move (even up a slight grade), up to 12 inches (30 cm) per day. Should they touch another coral other than in their own genus, it may generate mucus that could cause damage to the species touched. Do not place this coral on ledges or rocks where it may fall from and be injured.

Even though this is a hardy, disease resistant coral, and somewhat uncommon in the trade, long term survival in the captive system will not be possible unless there is sufficient open substrate areas for this animal to traverse, and its specific nutrition requirements are faithfully adhered to.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Fungiidae

Genus: Cycloseris

FYI: Each disc represents a single polyp having a central mouth and these smaller family members, i.e. about 2 inches (5 cm) have colors that are usually white, tan, light green, or a yellowish-orange in the trade.

In the wild, generally brown, green or yellow.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 74 - 83°F (23 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Lighting: PAR 350 - 400+

Water Movement: WM 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.