Can beginners keep corals?

Soft corals like zoanthids and star polyps are hardy and beginner-friendly. Start with resilient species and gradually work your way up to LPS and SPS corals.

How much do corals cost?

Zoanthid frags range from around 1,000-3,000 yen, LPS from 3,000-10,000 yen, and SPS Acropora species from 5,000-30,000+ yen depending on species and coloration.

What equipment is needed for coral keeping?

Basic equipment includes a tank, LED lighting, protein skimmer, circulation pump, heater, and refractometer. For SPS corals, you'll also need a calcium reactor and high-performance lighting.

What should I check when buying corals?

Ensure the coral has vivid coloration without bleaching, polyps are fully extended, and the base is firmly attached. Also watch for shipping damage.

How long do corals live?

With proper care, corals can live for decades. In the wild, some colonies survive for hundreds of years. Water quality management and proper lighting and flow are key to longevity.

Coral Encyclopedia — 74 Species Directory

Encyclopedia of popular coral species with care requirements, traits, and difficulty levels.

All Beginner Intermediate Advanced

LPS Hardy SPS Soft coral Colorful Fluorescent LPS coral Sand bed Fast-growing Collector Fleshy Vivid Unique Clownfish host Montipora

Showing 74 of 74 species(1–24)

Acan Coral

Intermediate

An LPS coral with rich colorful variations. Highly popular among collectors with many high-value specimens.

AcanLPSColorful

Acan Lord

Micromussa lordhowensis

Intermediate

An LPS coral with vivid multicolor patterns beautiful as jewels. Premium species popular among collectors.

AcanMulticolorJewel

Acanthastrea

Beginner

An LPS coral with metallic colors in large polyps. Australian specimens are popular as premium pieces.

AcanthastreaLPSMetallic

Acanthophyllia (Meat Coral)

Acanthophyllia deshayesiana

Intermediate

LPS coral with single massive polyp. Vivid red, green, blue colors earn it the 'Meat Coral' nickname. Impressive when fleshy tissue inflates fully.

LPSSingle polypFleshy

Acropora

Acropora sp.

Advanced

The pinnacle of coral keeping. Requires intense lighting and pristine water quality, but rewards with stunning growth and coloration.

AdvancedSPSHigh light

Alveopora

Intermediate

An LPS coral with long tentacles similar to Goniopora. Hardier and easier to keep than Goniopora.

AlveoporaLong tentaclesLPS

Birdsnest Coral

Seriatopora sp.

Intermediate

SPS coral with thin branches intertwining like a birds nest. Hardier than Acropora, ideal SPS entry. Pink and purple popular.

SPSBird nest shapeSPS entry

Blastomussa

Beginner

A beautiful LPS coral with densely packed large polyps. Popular for vivid red and green colorations.

BlastomussaLPSLarge polyps

Brain Coral

Trachyphyllia geoffroyi

Intermediate

LPS coral with brain-like skeletal ridges. Vivid reds, greens, and purples. Relatively easy to keep. Extends large feeding tentacles at night.

IntermediateLPSColorful

Briareum (Green Star Polyp Relative)

Briareum sp.

Beginner

Soft coral related to Green Star Polyps. Green polyps emerge from purple encrusting mat. Extremely hardy and fast-growing, spreading aggressively over rock and walls.

Soft coralBeginner-friendlyUltra-hardy

Bubble Coral

Plerogyra sinuosa

Intermediate

LPS coral with distinctive bubble-shaped tissue. Inflates by day, deflates at night. Responds well to feeding.

LPS coralUniqueIntermediate

Bubble-Tip Anemone

Entacmaea quadricolor

Intermediate

A popular anemone whose tentacle tips swell into rounded bubbles. A classic clownfish host and, among host anemones, relatively easy to keep.

AnemoneClownfish hostBubble tentacles

Candy Cane Coral

Caulastrea furcata

Beginner

LPS with round head-shaped polyps resembling candy canes. Hardy, easy to keep, and colorful. Ideal for LPS beginners.

LPS entryHardyColorful

Carpet Anemone

Stichodactyla gigantea

Advanced

A large anemone with short tentacles packed into a carpet. A powerful host for many clownfish, but its potent sting and demanding water requirements make it advanced.

AnemoneClownfish hostAdvanced

Chalice Coral

Echinophyllia sp.

Intermediate

Plate-shaped LPS coral. Eye-like patterns and fluorescent colors popular with collectors. Many high-value specimens.

LPSFluorescentCollector item

Cladiella (Colt Coral)

Cladiella sp.

Beginner

Soft coral with soft finger-like branches. Also called Colt Coral. Very hardy and fast-growing. White and cream common. Safe choice for beginners.

Soft coralBeginner-friendlyHardy

Cyphastrea

Beginner

A hardy SPS coral with densely packed small polyps. Grows in low light, recommended for beginners.

CyphastreaSPSHardy

Duncan Coral

Duncanopsammia axifuga

Beginner

LPS coral with round flower-like polyps. Responds well to feeding — fun to watch eat. Relatively hardy and growing in popularity.

LPSFun feedingHardy

Echinopora Coral

Echinopora sp.

Intermediate

Plating to encrusting coral between LPS and SPS. Beautiful fluorescent greens and oranges. Relatively hardy with moderate growth. Good base for aquascaping.

PlatingFluorescentIntermediate

Elegance Coral

Catalaphyllia jardinei

Advanced

Beautiful LPS with long tentacles tipped in fluorescent colors. Placed on sand bed. Vivid fluorescence is the main attraction.

LPSFluorescentAdvanced

Euphyllia (Hammer / Torch)

Euphyllia spp.

Beginner

Reef-dwelling corals with extended polyps. Hammer corals feature hammer-shaped tentacles, while torch corals display flame-like polyps. Both responsive to water flow and lighting, making them beginner-friendly for marine aquaria.

Beginner-friendlyLPSFluorescent

Favia Coral

Favia sp.

Beginner

Massive LPS coral with round corallites on surface. Similar to Favites but corallites are clearly separated. Hardy and colorful.

LPSBeginner-friendlyHardy

Favites Coral

Favites sp.

Beginner

LPS coral with densely packed hexagonal corallites. Also called Favites. Various color patterns exist, related to 'War Coral.' Hardy and easy to keep.

LPSHardyBeginner-friendly

Fox Coral

Nemenzophyllia turbida

Intermediate

An LPS coral with beautiful fluffy tentacles. Similar to torch but finer, more delicate tentacles.

FoxFluffyDelicate

Browse Coral Listings

Coral FAQ

Can beginners keep corals?: Soft corals like zoanthids and star polyps are hardy and beginner-friendly. Start with resilient species and gradually work your way up to LPS and SPS corals.
How much do corals cost?: Zoanthid frags range from around 1,000-3,000 yen, LPS from 3,000-10,000 yen, and SPS Acropora species from 5,000-30,000+ yen depending on species and coloration.
What equipment is needed for coral keeping?: Basic equipment includes a tank, LED lighting, protein skimmer, circulation pump, heater, and refractometer. For SPS corals, you'll also need a calcium reactor and high-performance lighting.
What should I check when buying corals?: Ensure the coral has vivid coloration without bleaching, polyps are fully extended, and the base is firmly attached. Also watch for shipping damage.
How long do corals live?: With proper care, corals can live for decades. In the wild, some colonies survive for hundreds of years. Water quality management and proper lighting and flow are key to longevity.