An illustrated guide to popular coral species for beginner reef keepers, covering care difficulty, lighting needs, water flow requirements, and feeding tips for each species.
Key Takeaways
An illustrated guide to popular coral species for beginner reef keepers, covering care difficulty, lighting needs, water flow requirements, and feeding tips for each species.
Coral keeping is the crown jewel of saltwater aquariums, but difficulty levels vary enormously by species. Beginners should start with hardy soft corals and gradually progress to LPS and SPS as they gain experience.
Corals are broadly classified into three groups.
| Group | Features | Difficulty | |-------|----------|------------| | Soft Corals | No skeleton; soft and flexible. Relatively tolerant of water quality fluctuations | Beginner | | LPS (Large Polyp Stony Corals) | Have calcareous skeleton. Large, fleshy polyps | Intermediate | | SPS (Small Polyp Stony Corals) | Have calcareous skeleton. Small, delicate polyps | Advanced |
SPS keeping demands a complete system, so gain ample experience with soft corals and LPS before attempting these.
BuriChoku lets you purchase directly from coral aquaculture and breeding specialists. You can ask breeders directly about condition and coloration, selecting corals suited to your tank environment. Find the perfect specimen for your first coral experience.
Find Coral listings related to this article on BreederDirect. Buy directly from verified breeders.
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