Coral Encyclopedia — 74 Species Directory
Encyclopedia of popular coral species with care requirements, traits, and difficulty levels.
Showing 35 of 74 species(1–24)
Acan Coral
An LPS coral with rich colorful variations. Highly popular among collectors with many high-value specimens.
© Dwergenpaartje / CC BY-SA 3.0Acan Lord
Micromussa lordhowensis
An LPS coral with vivid multicolor patterns beautiful as jewels. Premium species popular among collectors.
Acanthophyllia (Meat Coral)
Acanthophyllia deshayesiana
LPS coral with single massive polyp. Vivid red, green, blue colors earn it the 'Meat Coral' nickname. Impressive when fleshy tissue inflates fully.
© Jessica Rosenkrantz / CC BY-SA 4.0Alveopora
An LPS coral with long tentacles similar to Goniopora. Hardier and easier to keep than Goniopora.
© Will Thomas / CC BY 2.0Birdsnest Coral
Seriatopora sp.
SPS coral with thin branches intertwining like a birds nest. Hardier than Acropora, ideal SPS entry. Pink and purple popular.
© bondolo / CC BY 3.0Brain Coral
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi
LPS coral with brain-like skeletal ridges. Vivid reds, greens, and purples. Relatively easy to keep. Extends large feeding tentacles at night.
© Oceanamazon / CC0Bubble Coral
Plerogyra sinuosa
LPS coral with distinctive bubble-shaped tissue. Inflates by day, deflates at night. Responds well to feeding.
Bubble-Tip Anemone
Entacmaea quadricolor
A popular anemone whose tentacle tips swell into rounded bubbles. A classic clownfish host and, among host anemones, relatively easy to keep.
© The original uploader was Albert Kok at Dutch Wikipedia . ( Original text: Albert Kok ) / Public domainChalice Coral
Echinophyllia sp.
Plate-shaped LPS coral. Eye-like patterns and fluorescent colors popular with collectors. Many high-value specimens.
Echinopora Coral
Echinopora sp.
Plating to encrusting coral between LPS and SPS. Beautiful fluorescent greens and oranges. Relatively hardy with moderate growth. Good base for aquascaping.
© Ryan McMinds / CC BY 3.0Fox Coral
Nemenzophyllia turbida
An LPS coral with beautiful fluffy tentacles. Similar to torch but finer, more delicate tentacles.
© Gdiggers / CC BY-SA 3.0Frogspawn Coral
Euphyllia divisa
Distinctive rounded tentacle tips resembling frog eggs. Related to torch coral. Mesmerizing movement in water flow.
Frogspawn Coral
Euphyllia paradivisa
A branching hard coral displaying trumpet-shaped tentacles, named for their appearance during spawning. Sensitive to water flow placement. Beginner to intermediate species with straightforward care needs.
© Nhobgood Nick Hobgood / CC BY-SA 3.0Galaxea
An LPS coral with white balls on clear tentacle tips. Attacks neighbors with long sweeper tentacles.
© Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0Giant Clam
Tridacna sp.
Bivalve with brilliantly colored mantle. Photosynthetic and requires strong lighting. Jewel of the reef tank.
© Peter Young Cho, MD / CC BY-SA 3.0Goniopora (Flowerpot Coral)
Goniopora sp.
Beautiful LPS with long polyps like a bouquet. Once considered difficult to keep, but modern techniques have improved success.
© Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0Hammer Coral
Euphyllia ancora
LPS coral with T-shaped tentacles resembling hammers. Related to torch coral. Beautiful swaying movement in current.
Heliofungia (Long Tentacle Plate Coral)
Heliofungia actiniformis
Solitary LPS coral with long tentacles resembling anemones. Clownfish may host in it. Placed on sand — beautiful long tentacles swaying in current.
Hydnophora (Horn Coral)
Hydnophora sp.
Coral with dense small bumps (hydnophores) on surface. Between LPS and SPS in care. Fast-growing with beautiful fluorescent green. Aggressive — careful placement needed.
© Bondolo / CC BY-SA 3.0Leptoseris
A thin plate-shaped SPS coral from deep waters. Can be placed at tank bottom as it grows in low light.
Merulina Coral
Merulina sp.
Unique SPS coral with thin plate-like blades rising vertically. Green and brown common. Adds depth and dimension to aquariums. For intermediate keepers.
© Albert Kok at Dutch Wikipedia ( Original text: Albert Kok ) / Public domainMontipora
Montipora sp.
Second most popular SPS coral after Acropora. Diverse forms including plate and branching. Easier SPS entry point.
Montipora Cap
Montipora capricornis
An SPS coral growing in cap/umbrella shape. Hardier than Acropora, ideal for SPS beginners.
© No machine-readable author provided. Haplochromis assumed (based on copyright claims). / Public domainMontipora Digitata
Montipora digitata
An SPS coral that branches in finger-like shapes. Hardier than Acropora, ideal for SPS beginners.
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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.