🔹 Aurora Heliofungia
Heliofungia actiniformis (Gold & Green Tone – Large Polyp Stony Coral)
🔹 Quick Stats
Care Level: Moderate to Advanced
Temperament: Peaceful (but requires space for long tentacle extension)
Colour Form: Long, flowing tentacles with a golden hue and shimmering green undertones. Under actinic lighting, the green fluoresces while the golden tone glows softly, producing a radiant aurora-like effect.
Water Conditions: 24–27 °C, dKH 8–12, pH 8.0–8.4, sg 1.024–1.026
Family: Fungiidae
Lighting: Moderate to high (enhances shimmer and fluorescence)
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Trace Elements, Amino Acids
Water Flow: Gentle to moderate — promotes polyp movement without stress
Placement: Sand bed or flat rock surface, away from aggressive neighbours
🧬 Overview
The Aurora Heliofungia is a stunning free-living coral featuring long, anemone-like tentacles that sway with water flow. Its unique gold and green colour combination creates a luminous display that changes depending on spectrum and intensity, making it a spectacular centerpiece coral. Known for its active movement and dramatic presence, this coral adds a living, breathing dynamic to reef aquariums.
🍽️ Feeding & Care
While photosynthetic, Heliofungia benefit from 2–3 weekly feedings of meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, enriched brine, or finely chopped seafood. Feeding encourages fuller polyp extension, growth, and vibrant colouration. Careful handling is advised, as tentacles are delicate.
📈 Optimal Parameters
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Alkalinity (dKH): 8–12
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Calcium (Ca): 420–460 ppm
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Magnesium (Mg): 1250–1350 ppm
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Nitrate (NO₃): 2–10 ppm
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Phosphate (PO₄): 0.02–0.08 ppm
📍 Placement
Best placed on the sand bed or a stable flat surface with enough open space for tentacle extension. Ensure gentle to moderate water movement to create natural swaying without causing tissue stress. Under blue-heavy lighting, the green fluoresces strongly while golden hues shimmer like liquid sunlight.
📸 WYSIWYG Note
This coral is sold as WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). The exact gold & green Heliofungia photographed is the one you will receive.