Plate Coral (Fungia) and Cycloseris - What is the Difference?

[that Reef Guy]

I was wondering what the difference was between a Plate Coral (Fungia) and Cycloseris?

They both look the same to me.

Are there any other Corals that look similar to these two as well?

 

[KorL]

They're the same

 

[Carter o51]

I think a fungia has a flat skeleton vs a cycloseris which has a dome shape skeleton

 

[that Reef Guy]

I have also heard of Dioseris.

What is that?

Are there any other members of the Plate Family that I should know about?

I just started collecting Plate Corals so I am trying to learn as much as I can about them.

 

[that Reef Guy]

They're the same

If they are the same why do they have different Names?

 

[Tab28]

I think a fungia has a flat skeleton vs a cycloseris which has a dome shape skeleton

This is correct. Fungia is flat. Cycloseris has a dome at mouth area. If you view looking at coral horizontally you would see a dome at the mouth area of cycloseris. A fungia would look like a flat steak. Place a small rock under the center of the steak you have cycloseris.

 

[Tab28]

I have also heard of Dioseris.

What is that?

Are there any other members of the Plate Family that I should know about?

I just started collecting Plate Corals so I am trying to learn as much as I can about them.

Are you referring to diaseris? If so its common name is fragile plate coral. It is a self fragging coral. I have two. One is purple with green rim and the other is teal and orange in a bleeding apple effect.

 

[encrustingacro]

Fungia has fine, triangular septal teeth and compact septa. Its coloration is light brown with pink mottling. TRUE Fungia are very rare in the hobby, though most circular, monostomatous Fungiids are misidentified as Fungia.
Fungia fungites | Aur Atoll, Marshall Islands | Credit: Raphael Forns

Cycloseris has thick, finely granulated septa. Its septal granulation gives the septa a smooth appearance when alive. Cycloseris are one of the most colorful of the Fungiids, often coming in neon greens and oranges. Most of the Fungiids in the hobby are Cycloseris.
Cycloseris sp.| Negros Oriental, Philippines | Credit: Ingo Rogalla

I think a fungia has a flat skeleton vs a cycloseris which has a dome shape skeleton

Cycloseris does not necessarily have an oral hump. There are flat Cycloseris, too. Fungia, although usually flat, can also grow to be dome-shaped.
Cycloseris sp. | Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands | Credit: D. Torres Pulliza

I have also heard of Dioseris.

What is that?

Are there any other members of the Plate Family that I should know about?

I just started collecting Plate Corals so I am trying to learn as much as I can about them.

Diaseris is a synonym of Cycloseris, with its members being reclassified to Cycloseris in 2011. Ex-Diaseris species are characterized by being able to "self-frag."
Cycloseris distorta | Raja Ampat, Indonesia | Credit: Josy Lai