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Mushroom Coral
Heliofungia actiniformis
6.9279, 125.677
Field Notes
Description:
Unlike most other coral, mushroom coral are free-living single polyps that do not form colonies. They are often mistaken for giant anemones due to their tentacles, which are extended day and night. They get their nutrition from microscopic algae that live in their tissues and produce food via photosynthesis. The coral also feed on plankton.
Habitat:
Reefs and sandy bottoms, all over the Indo-Pacifi region. In turn, mushroom coral are also the habitat of anemone shrimp.
Notes:
The 2nd picture is a close-up of the mushroom coral's tentacles, where two types of shrimp are making a living: the mushroom coral ghost shrimp (right), and the graceful anemone shrimp.
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedJanuary 25, 2012
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