Polyphyllia

Polyphyllia, the slipper or tongue coral, is an elongated free-living plate coral related to Fungia. Their distinctive slipper-like shape and long tentacles set them apart from the round disc corals. Place them on the sand bed under moderate PAR (75–150 PAR) with gentle flow. Like all free-living corals, they should rest freely on the substrate and never be glued to rockwork. They can reposition themselves slowly across the sand bed.

Maintain stable reef parameters: alkalinity 7.5–9.0 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, and temperature 25–26 °C. Polyphyllia benefit from regular target feeding with meaty foods like mysis or chopped prawn once or twice weekly. Their long tentacles are effective food catchers, and the feeding response is enthusiastic. Keep the surrounding sand clean, as accumulated detritus against the tissue can cause irritation and recession.

Polyphyllia are semi-aggressive due to their long tentacle reach — provide adequate clearance from other sand-bed corals. They are found throughout the Indo-Pacific and periodically available from Australian coral retailers. Their unusual elongated shape adds variety to a sand-bed coral collection alongside rounder species like Fungia and Lithophyllon. These are straightforward corals to keep in the right environment and make interesting conversation pieces in any reef display.