Coral Husbandry Difficulty Classification: Complete Guide to LPS, SPS, and Euphyllia paraancora
A detailed breakdown of coral husbandry difficulty by classification—soft corals, LPS, and SPS. Covers husbandry conditions for representative LPS species like disk coral, brain coral, and frogspawn coral, explains why SPS like Acropora are challenging, and discusses the unique position of Euphyllia paraancora.
Key Takeaways
A detailed breakdown of coral husbandry difficulty by classification—soft corals, LPS, and SPS. Covers husbandry conditions for representative LPS species like disk coral, brain coral, and frogspawn coral, explains why SPS like Acropora are challenging, and discusses the unique position of Euphyllia paraancora.
Coral Husbandry Difficulty Classification: Complete Guide to LPS, SPS, and Euphyllia paraancora
When you first start keeping corals, you've probably encountered the terms "LPS," "SPS," and "soft coral"—and felt confused. These classifications broadly indicate coral skeletal structure and husbandry difficulty, and understanding them properly forms the foundation for successful coral keeping. This article brings together the characteristics of each classification, required husbandry conditions, reasons for their difficulty level, and practical recommendations for beginner-friendly species.
The Basics of Coral Classification: Soft, LPS, and SPS
Corals (primarily from the order Scleractinia and related polyp organisms) fall into three major categories.
Soft Corals (Alcyonaceans) Lack a hard calcareous skeleton and have a soft body structure. Typical examples include disk corals, star polyps, mushroom corals, and pipe organ corals. Relatively hardy with wide tolerance for light, water flow, and water quality—the best choice for beginners.
LPS (Large Polyp Stony Corals) Short for Large Polyp Stony. Possess a calcareous skeleton with individual polyps larger than 1cm. Examples include Trachyphyllia (disk coral), Lobophyllia (brain coral), Euphyllia glabrescens (frogspawn coral), and Goniopora (flowerpot coral). Moderate difficulty; suitable for beginner to intermediate keepers.
SPS (Small Polyp Stony Corals) Short for Small Polyp Stony. Polyps are microscopic (under 1mm), belonging to stony corals. Representative examples include Acropora (staghorn coral), Montipora (common coral), and branching euphyllias. Require precise water quality and intense lighting—for advanced keepers.
LPS Coral Husbandry Difficulty and Representative Species
LPS corals are popular with many aquarists as a step up from soft corals because their "large, beautiful polyps" and "ease of growth with moderate light and water flow" make them accessible yet rewarding.
Beginner-Friendly LPS (Difficulty: Low to Moderate)
Trachyphyllia (Disk Coral) - Light: Moderate (PAR 50–150 μmol/m²/s) - Water flow: Weak (avoid strong currents) - Characteristics: Place on substrate. Polyps extend long at night. Grows from fragments - Note: Must be placed on substrate (direct attachment to live rock not recommended)
