{"id":45822,"date":"2026-10-22T00:44:01","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T21:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/?p=45822"},"modified":"2026-10-22T00:44:01","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T21:44:01","slug":"coral-care-101-types-of-reef-corals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/coral-care-101-types-of-reef-corals\/","title":{"rendered":"Coral Care 101: Types of Reef Corals and How to Keep Them Thriving"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mts-article\">\nCorals look like rocks, behave like animals, and eat like plants, which is exactly why they trip up new reef keepers. This guide sorts the main coral types and shows what each one needs to survive.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mts-summary\">\n<strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> Reef corals fall into three groups: <strong>soft corals<\/strong> (the most forgiving), <strong>LPS<\/strong> or large polyp stony corals (moderate, great showpieces), and <strong>SPS<\/strong> or small polyp stony corals (demanding, for experienced keepers). Start with soft corals or hardy LPS in a tank that has been running and stable for a couple of months, keep salinity near 1.025, temperature at <strong>24\u201326\u00b0C<\/strong>, and alkalinity, calcium and magnesium steady, and acclimate every new coral slowly. Stability matters more than any single number.\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"toc\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#what\">What a Coral Actually Is<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#types\">The Three Coral Types Compared<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#start\">Which Coral Should You Start With?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#tank\">What Your Tank Needs Before the First Coral<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#params\">Water Parameters for Reef Corals<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#acclimate\">How to Acclimate a New Coral<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#feeding\">Feeding and Daily Care<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#heat\">Keeping Corals Cool in a Hot Climate<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#safety\">Handling and Safety<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#problems\">Warning Signs and Common Mistakes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>Coral Care 101: Types of Reef Corals and How to Keep Them Thriving<\/h1>\n<h2 id=\"what\">What a Coral Actually Is<\/h2>\n<p>A coral is a colony of tiny animals called polyps. Most reef corals live in partnership with microscopic algae inside their tissue, and those algae turn light into food. That is why a coral needs three things at once: the right <strong>light<\/strong>, steady <strong>water flow<\/strong> to bring food and carry waste away, and <strong>stable water chemistry<\/strong>. If one of the three is off, the coral shows it within days by closing up, fading, or shedding tissue.<\/p>\n<p>Reef keeping also builds on the same foundations as any aquarium. If the nitrogen cycle is new to you, read our <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/how-to-cycle-a-new-aquarium-nitrogen-cycle-explained\/\">nitrogen cycle guide<\/a> first, because a saltwater tank has to be fully cycled before any coral goes in.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"types\">The Three Coral Types Compared<\/h2>\n<div style=\"overflow-x:auto;\">\n<table style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;min-width:520px;\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;text-align:start;\">Type<\/th>\n<th style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;text-align:start;\">Difficulty<\/th>\n<th style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;text-align:start;\">Light<\/th>\n<th style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;text-align:start;\">Flow<\/th>\n<th style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;text-align:start;\">Examples<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Soft coral<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Beginner<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Low to high, by species<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Moderate<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Zoanthids, mushrooms, leathers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">LPS (large polyp stony)<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Beginner to intermediate<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Moderate<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Moderate<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Acan, Lobophyllia, hammer, torch<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">SPS (small polyp stony)<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Advanced<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">High<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">High, turbulent<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Acropora, Montipora, Stylophora<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Soft Corals \u2013 The Forgiving Starter Group<\/h3>\n<p>Soft corals have no hard skeleton, so they don&#8217;t draw down calcium and alkalinity the way stony corals do. That makes them far easier to keep. Zoanthids, often called &#8220;zoas,&#8221; form colorful carpets of tiny flower-like polyps and grow quickly in a stable tank. Mushrooms and leather corals are other common soft picks.<\/p>\n<h3>LPS Corals \u2013 Fleshy Showpieces<\/h3>\n<p>LPS corals build a hard skeleton topped with large, fleshy polyps. They are the sweet spot for many hobbyists: dramatic color and shape, with care that is manageable once the tank is stable. <strong>Acan brain coral<\/strong> shows ridged purple-and-green patterns and is considered easy in a steady reef. <strong>Lobophyllia<\/strong> has thick, fleshy folds in vivid colors and does best low in the tank with moderate light and flow.<\/p>\n<h3>SPS Corals \u2013 The Expert Tier<\/h3>\n<p>SPS corals, such as Acropora and Montipora, grow fast and look spectacular, but they need strong light, strong flow, and very steady alkalinity, calcium and magnesium. A swing that a soft coral shrugs off can make an SPS lose tissue. Treat SPS as the second or third step, not the first.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mts-product-callout\">\n<strong>Live corals available now:<\/strong> <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/zoanthid-coral-live\/\">Zoanthid Coral<\/a> (soft), <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/acan-brain-coral\/\">Acan Brain Coral<\/a> (LPS), and <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/lobophyllia-coral-live-lps-coral\/\">Lobophyllia Coral<\/a> (LPS). Corals are live animals, so color, shape and size can differ slightly from the photos.\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"start\">Which Coral Should You Start With?<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><strong>Brand-new reef tank, a couple of months old:<\/strong> start with zoanthids or another soft coral.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stable tank with a few soft corals already thriving:<\/strong> add an Acan or Lobophyllia.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Months of rock-steady test results:<\/strong> only then consider SPS.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mixed tank:<\/strong> add one coral at a time, a few weeks apart, so you can see how the tank reacts before adding the next.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"mts-tip\">\n<strong>Tip:<\/strong> Buy aquacultured or captive-grown coral when you can. Pieces that have grown under artificial lighting usually adapt to your tank more easily than wild-collected ones.\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"tank\">What Your Tank Needs Before the First Coral<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><strong>A fully cycled, stable tank:<\/strong> most reef keepers wait roughly two months or more after the cycle finishes, until ammonia and nitrite read zero and nitrate stays low.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reef-grade salt and clean water:<\/strong> mix salt with RO\/DI water. Tap water carries phosphate, silicate and chlorine that feed algae and stress corals.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reef lighting:<\/strong> corals need a light strong enough for their type. Choose lighting designed for reef tanks, not a freshwater plant light.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Water movement:<\/strong> flow delivers food, removes waste and keeps tissue clean of debris. Dead spots are a common cause of tissue loss.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Filtration that removes waste early:<\/strong> a protein skimmer pulls dissolved organics out before they break down into nitrate and phosphate.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A heater and a cooling plan:<\/strong> a stable temperature protects corals more than a perfect one.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Test kits and a refractometer:<\/strong> you cannot manage what you do not measure. Salinity, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium are the key readings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"mts-product-callout\">\n<strong>Reef gear in our shop:<\/strong> the <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/jebao-rw4-wave-maker-pump-700-8000lh\/\">Jebao RW-4 Wave Maker Pump<\/a> (700\u20138,000 L\/H adjustable flow, pump only, controller not included) and the <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/bubble-magus-curve-5-protein-skimmer-up-to-500l\/\">Bubble Magus Curve 5 Protein Skimmer<\/a> for saltwater tanks up to 500 liters.\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"params\">Water Parameters for Reef Corals<\/h2>\n<p>Hobby sources differ by small amounts, so treat these as target ranges rather than exact numbers. The most important rule is that the readings stay steady from day to day.<\/p>\n<div style=\"overflow-x:auto;\">\n<table style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;min-width:420px;\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;text-align:start;\">Parameter<\/th>\n<th style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;text-align:start;\">Target range<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Salinity<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">1.025 specific gravity (about 35 ppt)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Temperature<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">24\u201326\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Alkalinity (KH)<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">About 8\u201311 dKH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Calcium<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">About 400\u2013450 ppm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Magnesium<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">About 1,250\u20131,350 ppm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Nitrate<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Low, roughly 2\u201310 ppm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Phosphate<\/td>\n<td style=\"border:1px solid #cbd5e1;padding:8px;\">Low but not zero<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>Alkalinity, calcium and magnesium move together. Raising one without the others can throw the balance off, and stony corals use them up faster than soft corals do, so test more often after adding LPS or SPS. For the testing basics, see <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/water-parameters-101-testing-ph-ammonia-nitrite-nitrate\/\">Water Parameters 101<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"acclimate\">How to Acclimate a New Coral<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Dim the lights<\/strong> or place the coral in a shaded spot at first. New corals are often used to different lighting and can bleach under a sudden jump in intensity.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Float the sealed bag<\/strong> for 15\u201320 minutes so the temperature matches.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Add tank water to the bag slowly<\/strong> over 20\u201330 minutes so salinity and chemistry shift gradually.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inspect the coral<\/strong> for pests and damaged tissue before it goes in. Dipping and quarantine are worthwhile if you can manage them.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Place it at its target height and spacing<\/strong> and check on it over the next days. Raise it toward brighter light in small steps over a couple of weeks.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"mts-warning\">\n<strong>Warning:<\/strong> Never pour the bag water into your tank. It may carry waste and pests. Move the coral only, and discard the water.\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"feeding\">Feeding and Daily Care<\/h2>\n<p>Corals get much of their energy from light, but many also benefit from food. LPS corals such as Lobophyllia respond well to <strong>spot feeding<\/strong> with small pieces of mysis or brine shrimp a couple of times a week, applied with a pipette or feeding tube while the polyps are open. Soft corals like zoanthids feed mostly from the water and light.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><strong>Daily:<\/strong> check polyp extension, color and tissue, top off evaporated water with fresh RO\/DI water only, and confirm temperature.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Weekly:<\/strong> test salinity, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium and nitrate, and do a small water change with salinity-matched saltwater. Our <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/how-often-should-you-change-aquarium-water-complete-guide\/\">water change guide<\/a> covers the routine.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monthly:<\/strong> clean the skimmer, wave maker and return pump, and check equipment for wear.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Space:<\/strong> leave room between neighbors. Some corals extend stinging tentacles at night and can burn the coral beside them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"heat\">Keeping Corals Cool in a Hot Climate<\/h2>\n<p>Heat is the biggest seasonal threat to reef tanks in a place like Cairo. When water runs warmer than the coral is used to, the algae inside it can be expelled, which is called bleaching. Keep the tank in the cooler part of the room, avoid direct sun, and run air conditioning where you can. An evaporation fan is a low-cost extra, but it increases evaporation, so top off with RO\/DI water daily or salinity will creep up. We cover this in detail in <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/how-to-cool-your-aquarium-in-summer-heat\/\">How to Cool Your Aquarium in Summer Heat<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mts-product-callout\">\n<strong>Summer cooling:<\/strong> the <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/aquarium-cooling-fan-set\/\">Aquarium Cooling Fan Set<\/a> comes in 1 to 4 fan options, with optional power adapter and temperature sensor for automatic control.\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"safety\">Handling and Safety<\/h2>\n<p>Treat every coral with care, and treat zoanthids with extra respect. Some zoanthids contain a potent toxin. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling or fragging them, keep them away from cuts, and never touch your face while working. Wash your hands afterward. Do not boil, scrape or dry zoanthids, since toxins can become airborne.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"problems\">Warning Signs and Common Mistakes<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><strong>Pale or white coral:<\/strong> bleaching from heat, too much light, or a sudden change. Lower the light or temperature and keep the water steady.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tissue receding from the skeleton:<\/strong> often a chemistry swing, poor flow, or damage from a neighbor. Test your parameters and check spacing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Polyps staying closed for days:<\/strong> stress. Check temperature, salinity, nutrients and nearby corals.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Adding too many corals at once:<\/strong> the tank can&#8217;t adjust. Add one at a time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chasing numbers:<\/strong> constant dosing to hit a perfect value causes bigger swings than leaving a slightly off but stable reading alone.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Using tap water:<\/strong> a steady source of phosphate and silicate, and a common cause of algae.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"mts-product-callout\">\n<strong>Rather have a specialist look after it?<\/strong> Our <a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/marine-reef-aquarium-maintenance-plans\/\">Marine &amp; Reef Aquarium Maintenance<\/a> plans cover fish-only tanks (Marine Basic), soft corals (Marine Pro), and full reefs with LPS and SPS (Reef Prime), with a report after every visit.\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"faq\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mts-faq\">\n<strong>What is the easiest coral for a beginner?<\/strong><br \/>Zoanthids and other soft corals are the most forgiving, with Acan brain coral a good first LPS once your tank is stable.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mts-faq\">\n<strong>What is the difference between LPS and SPS corals?<\/strong><br \/>LPS corals have large fleshy polyps and moderate needs. SPS corals have tiny polyps, grow fast, and need strong light, strong flow and very stable chemistry.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mts-faq\">\n<strong>How long should a reef tank run before adding corals?<\/strong><br \/>Wait until the tank is fully cycled and the readings have stayed stable. Many keepers wait around two months or longer.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mts-faq\">\n<strong>What temperature do reef corals need?<\/strong><br \/>Aim for 24\u201326\u00b0C and keep it steady. Sudden swings and heat spikes cause more harm than a slightly different but stable value.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mts-faq\">\n<strong>Do corals need to be fed?<\/strong><br \/>Many get most of their energy from light, but LPS corals such as Lobophyllia benefit from spot feeding with mysis or brine shrimp.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mts-faq\">\n<strong>Can I keep corals in a freshwater tank?<\/strong><br \/>No. Reef corals are marine animals and need saltwater with the proper salinity and chemistry.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mts-faq\">\n<strong>Why is my coral turning white?<\/strong><br \/>White or pale coral usually means bleaching from heat, intense light or a sudden change. Correct the cause, keep conditions stable, and give it time.\n<\/div>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>Pick the coral type to match your experience, build a stable tank first, and add corals slowly. Soft corals and hardy LPS reward patience, and stability will do more for them than any gadget.<\/p>\n<h3>Recommended Products<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"mts-checklist\">\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/zoanthid-coral-live\/\">Zoanthid Coral Live<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/acan-brain-coral\/\">Acan Brain Coral<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/lobophyllia-coral-live-lps-coral\/\">Lobophyllia Coral<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/jebao-rw4-wave-maker-pump-700-8000lh\/\">Jebao RW-4 Wave Maker Pump<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/bubble-magus-curve-5-protein-skimmer-up-to-500l\/\">Bubble Magus Curve 5 Protein Skimmer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"mts-link\" style=\"color:#1a56db;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:600;font-size:1.03em;\" href=\"https:\/\/mytankscape.com\/en\/shop\/marine-reef-aquarium-maintenance-plans\/\">Marine &amp; 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