Mushroom Corals and LPS Introduction | Stepping Up from Soft Corals

From Soft Corals to LPS: How to Step Up

Mushroom corals (genus Discosoma) are among the most suitable species for beginning coral keeping. For those who started with mushroom corals or Xenia, the world of mushroom corals and LPS (Large Polyp Stony) corals serves as a bridge to the next stage.

LPS is an abbreviation for "Large Polyp Stony," a general term for hard corals with large polyps. Representative species include hammer corals (Euphyllia), brain corals (Faviidae), and trumpet corals (Caulastrea). They have higher water quality requirements than soft corals but are not as sensitive as SPS. LPS is also the category that the most coral keepers enjoy long-term as a "middle stage" in coral keeping, and its appeal lies in the diversity of species and colors.

The biggest difference between soft corals and LPS is the presence or absence of a calcified skeleton. Soft corals do not have a skeleton (though they do have small bone fragments called spicules), while LPS form calcium carbonate skeletons. Because the growth of this skeleton consumes calcium, KH (alkalinity), and magnesium, more precise water quality management is required compared to soft corals.

Characteristics and Management of Mushroom Corals

Mushroom corals (Discosoma) are technically classified as soft corals, but they have excellent qualities as a bridge to LPS. They are characterized by flat, umbrella-shaped polyps and come in a rich variety of colors including red, blue, green, orange, and multicolor. Species rich in fluorescent pigments glow very vibrantly under blue light, instantly enhancing the appearance of a reef tank.

The recommended water parameters for care are as follows.

These values are the same as for soft corals in general, and as a beginner species, they have a wide tolerance range for water quality.

Mushroom corals do not prefer strong light and are best placed in lower positions in the tank or in shadowed areas. A PAR value of 50–150 μmol/m²/s is appropriate; exposure to strong light causes them to shrink and the polyps will not open. For safety, start by placing them below LED lighting and gradually adjust position over 1–2 weeks while observing.

Ease of reproduction is also a major appeal of mushroom corals. Once the environment stabilizes, they naturally increase through division (fission), with offspring spreading across the substrate and live rock. If they multiply excessively, you can divide them with a cutter and transplant them to another location. While they can be maintained by photosynthesis alone without feeding, growth accelerates when mysis shrimp or liquid food is provided once a week.

5 Recommended LPS for Beginners

• Candy Cane Coral (Caulastrea) is characterized by multiple circular polyps clustered densely together, with beautiful pastel colors. It is particularly hardy among LPS and can be stably maintained at nitrate levels of 20 ppm or less. It grows well with moderate water flow and lighting (PAR 100–200) and can also be reproduced through division.
• Trumpet Coral (genus Caulastrea) has a similar care difficulty to candy cane coral and is easy to propagate due to active division. Growth is significantly accelerated with mysis shrimp feeding 1–2 times per week. The polyp opening is impressive, and the swaying motion in the water flow is one reason for its popularity.
• Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia) is also called "Open Brain Coral" and is characterized by brain-like patterns. It is placed directly on the substrate for care and responds well to feeding. This species prioritizes feeding over lighting, and active feeding 2–3 times per week is key to color development and growth.
• Bubble Coral (Plerogyra) puffs up into bubble-like, plump polyps during the day and extends long tentacles at night for feeding. If water flow is too strong, it will shrink, so placement in low to middle areas with gentle flow is necessary. Individuals with bubble polyps that glow in clear aqua or green are extremely valuable for viewing.
• Euphyllia (Hammer and Torch Corals) is the most popular among LPS and offers diverse colors. The variety in shapes, such as hammer and torch forms, also increases its collectibility. When adjacent corals are touched, it attacks with sweeper tentacles, so sufficient space for placement is necessary.

New Management Items Required for LPS Care

When transitioning to LPS care, more precise water quality management is required than with soft corals. Because LPS consumes calcium and KH for skeleton growth, water changes alone may not be sufficient. Make it a habit to measure KH and calcium once a week, and supplement with kalkwasser or two-part additives when values drop. Rapid KH fluctuations (±1 dKH or more per day) will cause LPS polyps to retract, so changes should be made gradually.

While soft corals can obtain most of their energy from photosynthesis alone, LPS are promoted in growth by active feeding. Growth and color development improve when mysis shrimp or copepods are placed directly on the polyps 1–3 times per week. For efficient feeding, stop the water flow for 5–10 minutes to allow the polyps to finish eating before resuming.

Water flow design also becomes important after introducing LPS. Water flow that is too strong damages LPS polyps, while flow that is too weak allows organic matter to accumulate and causes phosphate to rise. Use random water flow (wave maker) and arrange placement so that gentle swaying occurs in all areas.

Criteria and Precautions for Transitioning to SPS

If you have stably maintained LPS for 6 months or longer, it is time to consider challenging SPS. If you can stably maintain KH at 8.5–9.5 dKH, keep nitrate at 10 ppm or less and phosphate at 0.05 ppm or less, and have the habit of measuring water parameters at least once a week, you are ready for SPS care.

SPS (Small Polyp Stony), exemplified by Acropora species, is the category with the highest water quality requirements, demanding 1–2 levels higher precision in KH, temperature, and water flow stability. They respond more quickly to rapid water quality fluctuations than LPS, and oversights can directly result in significant damage.

Stepping up from mushroom corals to LPS to SPS allows you to deepen your understanding by experiencing how the tank functions at each stage, significantly reducing the failure rate compared to starting with SPS immediately. The greatest secret to sustaining long-term coral keeping is to advance unhurriedly, fully enjoying each stage. BreederDirect features a wide range of individuals from mushroom corals to various LPS species, posted directly by domestic breeders and specialty shops. When selecting healthy individuals, check the photos on the listing page to confirm whether the polyps are open and whether the colors are vivid.