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Anemone Lookalike: The Long-Tentacled Plate Coral

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Long-tentacled Plate Coral (Heliofungia actiniformis)Easily mistaken for an anemone at first glance, Heliofungia actiniformis is a large-polyp stony (LPS) coral that can be an excellent option for reefkeepers with modest-sized systems. Even relative newcomers to the reefkeeping hobby can succeed with this species, provided they make the effort to satisfy its few special care requirements. Physical traits Commonly known as the long-tentacled plate coral or disk coral, H. actiniformis (the only member of its genus) has a disk-shaped skeleton very similar to that of its Fungia spp. cousins. However, as its common name implies, it differs in having much longer tentacles that are usually brown or green with bulbous, contrastingly colored (typically white or pink) tips, giving this coral a decidedly anemone-like appearance. It also produces long sweeper tentacles, with which it can sting neighboring cnidarians, and can inflate its tissues to surprising dimensions

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