Plate corals are interesting specimens to have in a marine reef aquarium. They are considered solitary polyps which are closely related to the fungia family.  They are sometimes misidentified as anemones and at first glance you can see why. 

  Taking care of a plate coral is rather simple as they are considered photosynthetic but they do appreciate a feeding once or twice a month of meaty foods such as chunks of shrimp.  It is a slow eater so take care that your other reef tank inhabitants don’t steal its food, I sometimes use a plastic carton that strawberries come in to cage the plate coral while feeding to prevent my shrimp from grabbing a quick meal.

  Plate corals should be placed on a bed of sand or fine pebbles and you may want to block them in position by moving small rocks near the coral, this will prevent your plate coral from inflating and trying to drift away.  Maintaining proper calcium levels at around 420ppm will help the plate coral build and maintain its calcium skeleton.  Good lighting is required as it is a photosynthetic creature.  Flow must be adequate enough to gentily move its tentacles.

  You should take great care when moving a plate coral, its flesh is very delicate and its calcium skeleton can easily tear through it if moved.  The easiest way for me to move my plate coral is to cup my hand underneath it and pick it up that way so to avoid flesh damage. 

  The above picture is of my plate coral which is just a plain brown, however they can be many colors including purple and neon green.  The picture above also contains a yellow watchman goby.