Heterocyathus could have zooxanthellae in shallow water, however, they may live on without symbiotic algae at deeper depths.

[4] The Heterocyathus species is sometimes hermatypic or a hard coral primarily responsible for reef-building.

In the case of Heterocyathus, reefs are made as the species produces layers of calcium carbonate beneath their bodies.

[7] A species of hermit crabs, Diogenidae Heteropsammia, allows for the Heterocyathus the ability to roam around the seafloor.

[8] Heterocyathus has both a mutualism and parasitism relationship with another organism called the Albian scleractinian- sipunculan (commonly known as a type of worm).