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 10 of 74 species

Chalice Coral

Echinophyllia sp.

Intermediate

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

LPSFluorescentCollector item

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

Frogspawn Coral

Euphyllia paradivisa

Intermediate

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.

LPSFlowing tentaclesIntermediate

Platygyra

Beginner

A hardy LPS coral with distinctive maze-like grooves. Also rich in fluorescent color variations.

PlatygyraMazeHardy

Ricordea Florida

Ricordea florida

Beginner

A Caribbean mushroom anemone with densely packed bubble polyps. Extremely beautiful fluorescent colors.

RicordeaBubbleCaribbean

Symphyllia

Beginner

An LPS coral with complex brain-like patterns. Vivid fluorescent green and red specimens are popular.

SymphylliaLPSBrain type

Trachyphyllia

Trachyphyllia geoffroyi

Beginner

An LPS coral with large fleshy polyps placed on floor. Beautiful fluorescent red and green.

TrachyphylliaFleshyFloor placement

War Coral

Beginner

An LPS coral with distinctive rugged appearance. Also called Favia, beautiful with fluorescent colors.

War CoralLPSFluorescent

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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.