Heliofungia actiniformis - Side View. Picture taken August 2005, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Sigma 105mm EX macro lens Family: Fungiidae Heliofungia (heel'-ee-oh-fun'-jee-ah) have very long and large tentacles with knobbed tips which are extended during the day. They are free-living and monostromatous, usually circular in shape with a slightly arched underside. This is a very unusual color morph for this species.

Heliofungia actiniformis - Top View (through 2 feet of water) Picture taken August 2005, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Sigma 105mm EX macro lens Heliofungia are more delicate than there cousins Fungia. Typically placed on a soft sandy or rubble substrate with low to medium current and good bright lighting. These corals must be fed.

UPDATE: During October 2005 a split in the flesh was noticed in this coral. The split was wedge shaped about 1 inch across. Increased feedings were given to the coral to make sure it had enough energy to heal. However, several days later the flesh rapidly started to rot with ½ of it being destroyed overnight. The remainer of the flesh was gone 2 days later. Within three days 100% of the flesh was gone. The skeleton was left in the tank to see if any traces of flesh within the skeleton folds may survive to start a new colony.... never happened.