Fungia fungites
Encounter Rate
Spotting Difficulty
Best Season
Year-round
Depth Range
1-30 meters
The mushroom coral is one of the most unusual hard coral species found in Komodo National Park — a solitary, free-living coral that sits unattached on the reef floor rather than growing fixed to the substrate like most of its relatives. Each individual is a single large polyp shaped like a flattened disc or mushroom cap, typically 15 to 25 centimetres in diameter, with radiating skeletal ridges called septae fanning out from a central mouth. In Komodo, mushroom corals are found on sandy patches and rubble areas between reef structures, where they can slowly right themselves and even move short distances using pulsing contractions of their soft tissue. At night, they extend their tentacles to capture zooplankton, transforming from a seemingly lifeless disc into a flower-like feeding organism. Like other hard corals, they harbour symbiotic zooxanthellae algae for photosynthesis. Mushroom corals play an interesting ecological role as stepping stones of hard substrate on otherwise featureless sand, providing attachment points for other organisms and shelter for small invertebrates beneath their disc. Their free-living nature makes them vulnerable to being overturned by strong currents or careless divers, so they should never be handled.
Average Size
15-20cm diameter
Size Range
5-30cm diameter
Maximum Size
30cm diameter
Derives nutrition from photosynthesis by symbiotic zooxanthellae algae and from zooplankton captured by tentacles extended at night.
The mushroom coral is one of the most unusual hard coral species found in Komodo National Park — a solitary, free-living coral that sits unattached on the reef floor rather than growing fixed to the substrate like most of its relatives. Each individual is a single large polyp shaped like a flattened disc or mushroom cap, typically 15 to 25 centimetres in diameter, with radiating skeletal ridges called septae fanning out from a central mouth. In Komodo, mushroom corals are found on sandy patches and rubble areas between reef structures, where they can slowly right themselves and even move short distances using pulsing contractions of their soft tissue. At night, they extend their tentacles to capture zooplankton, transforming from a seemingly lifeless disc into a flower-like feeding organism. Like other hard corals, they harbour symbiotic zooxanthellae algae for photosynthesis. Mushroom corals play an interesting ecological role as stepping stones of hard substrate on otherwise featureless sand, providing attachment points for other organisms and shelter for small invertebrates beneath their disc. Their free-living nature makes them vulnerable to being overturned by strong currents or careless divers, so they should never be handled.
This species plays an important role in the marine ecosystem of Komodo National Park. Responsible diving practices help protect these animals and their habitat for future generations.
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Absolutely — each disc is a single living coral polyp with symbiotic algae, a mouth, tentacles, and the ability to move and right itself. They may look like lifeless objects during the day but come alive at night when they extend their tentacles to feed.
