Ecology
Heliofungia actiniformis is a free-living gonochoric species which means this species lives as individuals that are either male or female and not hermaphrodites like some other species. When reproducing sexually, eggs are fertilised within a female polyp and brooded until they are well developed before being released. These larvae will be carried by water currents for about three days until they settle and attach themselves to substrates. Polyps are attached to the substrate with a stalk which is called an anthocaulus. After a period of growth the polyp will detach itself from the anthocaulus and become free-living and in its place a new polyp may grow. This asexual form of reproduction is called budding. There is a natural high mortality rate of attached and newly detached polyps due to predation, competition for space and sedimentation. Heliofungia actiniformis obtains the majority of its energy requirements from a symbiotic relationship with algae called zooxanthellae that live in the tissue of the coral. It is these zooxanthellae that cause the colours we can see in corals. Heliofungia actiniformis can also use its tentacles to capture additional food. 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 of Heliofungia actiniformis.