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 35 of 74 species(25–35)

Montipora Setosa

Montipora setosa

Intermediate

Distinctive Montipora with dense hair-like polyps on surface. Green common, often called 'Fuzzy' for its texture. Popular SPS entry species.

SPSMontiporaFuzzy

Open Brain Coral

Trachyphyllia geoffroyi

Intermediate

LPS coral with vivid colors and large mouth. Kept on sand bed. Responds exceptionally well to feeding.

LPS coralSand bedFeeding essential

Pavona

Intermediate

An SPS coral growing in thin plates. Hardy species growing in various forms: encrusting, plating.

PavonaPlateSPS

Pavona Coral

Pavona duerdeni

Intermediate

An SPS coral spreading in thin plate form. Unique spiral patterns and fast growth are attractive.

PavonaSPSPlate

Pipe Organ Coral

Tubipora musica

Intermediate

Unique coral with green polyps emerging from red skeleton. Appears soft but actually has a hard skeleton.

UniqueRed skeletonIntermediate

Plate Coral

Intermediate

An LPS coral characterized by flat disc-like shape. Placed directly on sand bed for keeping.

Plate CoralLPSDisc-shaped

Pocillopora (Cauliflower Coral)

Pocillopora sp.

Intermediate

SPS coral branching in cauliflower shape. Pink and green are common. Hardier than Acropora — ideal SPS starter. Fast-growing and visually impressive.

SPSEntry-levelFast-growing

Scolymia

Intermediate

A premium LPS coral characterized by single large polyp. Rainbow coloration popular among collectors.

ScolymiaLPSRainbow

Seriatopora (Bird's Nest Coral)

Seriatopora hystrix

Intermediate

Delicate SPS coral with thin, densely branching structure. Rich color variety including pink, green, yellow. Easier to keep than Acropora — good SPS starter.

SPSDelicateColorful

Stylophora

Intermediate

A branching SPS coral. Hardier than Acropora with beautiful pink and purple coloration.

StylophoraSPSBranching

Torch Coral

Euphyllia glabrescens

Intermediate

Beautiful LPS coral with long flowing tentacles resembling torches. Graceful movement in current. Somewhat sensitive to water quality.

LPS coralBeautiful tentaclesIntermediate

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.