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 18 of 74 species

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

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

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

Green Star Polyps

Pachyclavularia sp.

Beginner

Bright green polyps that spread over rock surfaces. Extremely hardy and fast-growing. Perfect first coral for beginners.

Beginner-friendlySoft coralFast-growing

Leather Coral

Sarcophyton sp.

Beginner

Soft coral with large mushroom-shaped cap. Hardy and fast-growing. Periodically sheds mucus to remove old tissue.

Beginner-friendlySoft coralLarge

Lobophyllia / Symphyllia

Lobophyllia spp. / Symphyllia spp.

Beginner

Indo-Pacific corals with large, open flower-like polyps displaying vibrant coloration. Hardier species popular in marine displays. Suitable for intermediate aquarists with adequate water flow and moderate lighting.

Beginner-friendlyLPSColorful

Maze Coral

Meandrina meandrites

Beginner

A round LPS coral with maze-like grooves. Similar to brain coral but with deeper grooves.

FaviaMazeGrooves

Palythoa

Beginner

A Zoanthid relative with large button-like polyps growing densely. Hardy with rich colors.

PalythoaButton typeHardy

Palythoa Grandis

Palythoa grandis

Beginner

Large-polyped Palythoa species. Brown to green large polyps form colonies. Very hardy and tolerant of water quality changes. Popular soft coral for beginners.

Soft coralBeginner-friendlyLarge polyps

Pavona

Intermediate

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

PavonaPlateSPS

Platygyra

Beginner

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

PlatygyraMazeHardy

Porites

Beginner

A hardy SPS coral growing in finger or massive forms. Slow growing but very hardy and long-lived.

PoritesFingerHardy

Sinularia (Finger Leather Coral)

Sinularia sp.

Beginner

Finger-shaped branching soft coral. Related to leather corals and equally hardy. Cream, green, brown color varieties. Similar to Toadstool but with branching form.

Soft coralBeginner-friendlyFinger-shaped

Turbinaria

Beginner

An LPS coral growing in cup or scroll shape. Extremely hardy, one of most suitable species for LPS beginners.

TurbinariaCup-shapedHardy

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.