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 13 of 74 species

Briareum (Green Star Polyp Relative)

Briareum sp.

Beginner

Soft coral related to Green Star Polyps. Green polyps emerge from purple encrusting mat. Extremely hardy and fast-growing, spreading aggressively over rock and walls.

Soft coralBeginner-friendlyUltra-hardy

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

Gorgonian

Advanced

A beautiful soft coral spreading in fan shape. Elegantly swaying in current, ideal as tank background.

GorgonianSoft coralFan-shaped

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

Kenya Tree Coral

Capnella sp.

Beginner

Tree-like branching soft coral. Extremely hardy and prolific. Branches drop naturally to form new colonies.

Beginner-friendlySoft coralUltra hardy

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

Mushroom Coral

Discosoma sp.

Beginner

Mushroom-shaped soft coral in various colors. Hardy and prefers low light and gentle flow. Easy to propagate.

Beginner-friendlySoft coralLow light OK

Nephthea (Tree Coral)

Nephthea sp.

Beginner

Tree-shaped branching soft coral. Similar to Kenya Tree but more supple. Green and brown common. Hardy, fast-growing, adds natural feel to aquariums.

Soft coralBeginner-friendlyTree-shaped

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

Pulsing Xenia

Xenia sp.

Beginner

Unique soft coral with pulsing polyps that rhythmically open and close. Mesmerizing movement. Hardy and proliferates quickly.

Beginner-friendlySoft coralPulsing

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

Toadstool Coral

Sinularia sp.

Beginner

Branching soft coral that is hardy with diverse color variations. Easy to frag and propagate.

Beginner-friendlySoft coralEasy to frag

Zoanthids

Zoanthus sp.

Beginner

Perfect entry-level soft coral with incredible color variety. Tolerant of water quality fluctuations and easy to propagate.

Beginner-friendlySoft coralColorful

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.