Lithophyllon coral (Lithophyllon undulatum) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Lithophyllon plate coral
Family
Fungiidae
Origin
Indo-West Pacific reefs
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Care level
beginner
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Moderate
Flow
Low to medium

Care

Lithophyllon undulatum is a member of the plate coral family that, unlike most of its relatives, stays attached to rock and grows as thin, wavy encrusting or plating sheets covered in short tentacles. Green and brown are common, often with contrasting mouths. It is not sold by name at LiveAquaria; the care below draws on its short-tentacle plate coral listing (Fungia), a close relative in the same family. Placement: low on the rockwork or on the sand bed, in moderate light and low to medium flow. Leave room for the plates to spread. Water: alkalinity dKH 8–12, pH 8.1–8.4, with calcium, strontium and trace elements kept up. Growth is slow to moderate. Selling: this is a CITES Appendix II coral. Frags grown in the UK can be sold freely; wild-collected or imported pieces must have been legally imported with CITES paperwork. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/plate-coral-purple-short-tentacle). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic, but small meaty foods such as mysis or brine shrimp a few times a week help, fed when the tentacles are extended.

Breeding

Frag by cutting pieces off the edge of the plate with bone cutters or a saw and gluing them to a base.

Compatibility and tank mates

Semi-aggressive: its short tentacles can damage corals that touch it, so leave space as it spreads.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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