Coral Feeding & Nutrition Guide — Supplementing Beyond Photosynthesis

Corals produce energy through the photosynthesis of zooxanthellae within their bodies, but this alone is insufficient to maintain healthy growth and vibrant coloration. In the natural ocean, corals obtain additional nutrients by feeding on plankton and dissolved organic matter. In an aquarium environment, these nutrient sources are limited, so supplementation through proper feeding is necessary. Feeding is particularly essential for LPS corals with large polyps and azooxanthellate corals that lack photosynthetic abilities.

Mechanisms of Coral Nutrition Uptake

Corals obtain nutrition primarily through three methods. First, energy production through photosynthesis of zooxanthellae. Second, feeding on plankton and microparticles through polyps. Third, absorption of dissolved organic matter through the body surface. Zooxanthellate corals (photosynthetic species) rely on photosynthesis for 70–90% of their energy, while the remaining 10–30% is supplied through external nutrient intake. This "remaining" portion significantly impacts the coral's growth rate and coloration. Amino acids serve as structural components of coral tissue, fatty acids function as energy sources, and vitamins play important roles in promoting metabolism.

Types of Food for Coral Feeding

Coral foods are broadly divided into three types: liquid, powder, and frozen. Liquid foods contain phytoplankton and amino acids, making them suitable for "broadcast feeding" that distributes throughout the aquarium. Representative products include Reef Energy and Coral Frenzy. Powder foods, typified by Reef Roids, are microparticle feeds dissolved in water and administered via dropper for "target feeding" directly to corals. Frozen foods consist of zooplankton such as brine shrimp, copepods, and rotifers, ideal for large-polyped LPS corals and azooxanthellate corals. Select each food type based on the target coral species and polyp size.

Feeding Tips by Coral Type

SPS corals primarily depend on photosynthesis, so maintaining appropriate amino acid concentrations in the water is more effective than direct feeding. Add liquid amino acids to the entire aquarium 2–3 times per week. LPS corals actively capture food with their large polyps. With flower pot corals and bubble corals, thawed brine shrimp or mysis shrimp can be placed directly on polyps with a dropper, allowing observation of the tentacles enveloping and consuming the food. Feeding 2–3 times per week at night is effective. Soft corals like zoanthids and disc corals vary in their feeding response depending on species, but supplying powder food via water current is a convenient method. Azooxanthellate corals (such as corallimorphs and some tube anemones) cannot photosynthesize, making regular frozen plankton feeding essential for survival.