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Coral Encyclopedia — 74 Species Directory

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

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LPSHardySPSSoft coralColorfulFluorescentLPS coralSand bedFast-growingCollectorFleshyVividUniqueClownfish hostMontipora

Showing 4 of 74 species

Bubble Coral© Oceanamazon / CC0

Bubble Coral

Plerogyra sinuosa

Intermediate

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

LPS coralUniqueIntermediate
Hammer Coral© Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0

Hammer Coral

Euphyllia ancora

Intermediate

LPS coral with T-shaped tentacles resembling hammers. Related to torch coral. Beautiful swaying movement in current.

LPS coralBeautiful tentaclesIntermediate
Open Brain Coral© bondolo / CC BY 3.0

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
Torch Coral© Josuevg / CC BY-SA 3.0

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
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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.