Mushroom coral - Heliofungia actiniformis This species lives as a solitary large polyp, unlike many corals that form colonies of coral polyps, and has a flat shape with large, lobed teeth. The mouth is centrally located and can be up to 3cm in length. The tentacles are extended day and night, and are green, green-brown, grey or blue-green with bright white or pink tips and are long in length. The oral disk is visibly striped and has distinctive blue and grey colourings. This species supports many associated species including the colourful Periclimenes kororensis, commonly known as popcorn shrimp and a species of pipefish, Siokunichthys nigrolineatus that live among the tentacles

Photograph: Wolfgang Krutz/ZSL