Full Coral Species Guide

This page works best with JavaScript enabled (for search, filtering and PAR/flow gauges), but here is the complete reference for every species covered:

Acropora

Acropora spp. · SPS · Advanced · Native range: Indo-Pacific reef flats & slopes

The signature SPS coral, with hundreds of species ranging from bottlebrush to staghorn to tabling growth forms, all prized for intense fluorescent color under strong light.

PAR (light): 200-400. Best color and growth land around 250 to 350 PAR. Acclimate slowly, since over-exposure browns or bleaches a colony faster than under-lighting ever will.
Flow: High. Strong, randomized, turbulent flow. Weak flow leads to tissue recession at the base and an algae film building up on the branches.
Water parameters: Temperature 76 to 79°F (24 to 26°C); Salinity 1.025 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 7 to 9 dKH, held rock steady; Calcium 420 to 450 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 1 to 5 ppm; Phosphate 0.02 to 0.07 ppm.
Feeding: Rarely target-fed, since it gets most of its nutrition from zooxanthellae. Very fine particulate foods (phytoplankton, coral amino blends) and stable trace dosing support color and growth more than direct feeding does.
Trace elements and supplements: Consistent calcium, alkalinity and magnesium dosing is non-negotiable, since swings cause tissue loss faster than almost any other factor. Iodine and trace element supplements support coloration on top of that stability.
Growth tips: Wants rock-solid, unchanging parameters more than perfect numbers. Test two to three times a week when starting a system, place frags with room to grow, and dial in lighting gradually over two to three weeks.
Troubleshooting: Watch for rapid tissue necrosis, which shows up as spreading white patches after a parameter swing, and slow tissue necrosis, a gradual recession from chronic stress. Acro-eating flatworms and red bugs are common pests, so quarantine and dip new frags before adding them.

Montipora

Montipora spp. · SPS · Intermediate · Native range: Indo-Pacific, including Fiji, Tonga and the Great Barrier Reef

A hugely diverse SPS genus spanning encrusting, plating and digitate forms, and a friendlier way into SPS keeping than Acropora.

PAR (light): 150-300. Thrives across a wide band. Plating and encrusting forms can handle less light than digitate or branching types.
Flow: Med-High. Moderate to high, randomized flow. Detritus trapped under plates or encrusting mounds is a common cause of tissue loss.
Water parameters: Temperature 76 to 79°F (24 to 26°C); Salinity 1.025 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 7 to 9 dKH; Calcium 400 to 450 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 1 to 8 ppm; Phosphate 0.02 to 0.08 ppm.
Feeding: Not usually target-fed, and it often closes up when spot-fed directly. A light dusting of rotifers or phytoplankton in the water column is plenty.
Trace elements and supplements: The same stable calcium, alkalinity and magnesium regimen as other SPS. Iron and trace dosing help maintain the punchy colors this genus is known for.
Growth tips: Fast growing, so re-evaluate flow and lighting as colonies fill in, since a growing colony changes its own local flow and shading over time.
Troubleshooting: Montipora-eating nudibranchs and flatworms are the main pest concern. Sudden paling usually means a light or parameter shift, and brown jelly can follow physical damage.

Birdsnest Coral

Seriatopora hystrix · SPS · Intermediate · Native range: Indo-Pacific lagoons and reef flats

A fast-growing, thin-branching SPS that colors up readily and is a common "starter SPS" thanks to its tolerance.

PAR (light): 150-300. Moderate to high light for good branch density and color.
Flow: High. Strong flow keeps the fine branch structure free of detritus and supports its fast growth rate.
Water parameters: Temperature 76 to 79°F (24 to 26°C); Salinity 1.025 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 7 to 9 dKH; Calcium 400 to 450 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 1 to 8 ppm; Phosphate 0.02 to 0.08 ppm.
Feeding: Minimal direct feeding needed. It benefits from fine phytoplankton and coral-specific amino or particulate blends in the water column.
Trace elements and supplements: Standard SPS mineral dosing (calcium, alkalinity, magnesium). It grows quickly enough that consumption should be tracked weekly.
Growth tips: Give it generous physical space, since it is one of the fastest-growing SPS corals and will overgrow slower neighbors.
Troubleshooting: Brittle branches snap easily during aquascaping or handling. That is not a health issue, though it can create rubble. Watch for the same flatworm and tissue-loss risks as other SPS.

Stylophora

Stylophora pistillata · SPS · Beginner · Native range: Red Sea and Indo-Pacific

Often called a beginner SPS, this hardy, forgiving branching coral tolerates more parameter drift than most of its relatives.

PAR (light): 150-250. Medium to high light. It adapts to a fairly wide range.
Flow: Med-High. Moderate to strong, steady flow.
Water parameters: Temperature 76 to 79°F (24 to 26°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 7 to 9 dKH; Calcium 400 to 450 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 1 to 10 ppm; Phosphate 0.02 to 0.1 ppm.
Feeding: Generally not target fed. It benefits from fine planktonic foods in the water column like most SPS.
Trace elements and supplements: Standard reef trace elements and stable major-ion dosing. More forgiving of small swings than Acropora.
Growth tips: A great test coral for checking whether a system is ready for pickier SPS. It encrusts and branches readily under stable conditions.
Troubleshooting: Generally hardy. Still monitor for the standard SPS pest list (flatworms, red bugs) and avoid sudden light changes.

Pocillopora (Cauliflower Coral)

Pocillopora damicornis · SPS · Beginner · Native range: Indo-Pacific and Eastern Pacific reefs

A compact, bushy SPS that is one of the easiest true stony corals to keep, often recommended as a first SPS.

PAR (light): 150-250. Medium to high light for the best branching and color.
Flow: Med-High. Moderate to strong flow around the colony.
Water parameters: Temperature 76 to 79°F (24 to 26°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 7 to 9 dKH; Calcium 400 to 450 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 1 to 10 ppm; Phosphate 0.02 to 0.1 ppm.
Feeding: Survives fine on photosynthesis alone, but several growers recommend two fine-particulate feedings a week (micro-plankton or phytoplankton) for noticeably better color and growth.
Trace elements and supplements: Standard SPS major-ion and trace dosing.
Growth tips: Fast growing and forgiving, making it a good confidence builder before moving on to Acropora.
Troubleshooting: Watch for the same general SPS pest and tissue-loss risks as its relatives. Otherwise low-maintenance.

Hammer Coral

Euphyllia ancora / paradivisa · LPS · Beginner · Native range: Indo-Pacific reef slopes

An iconic, hardy LPS with hammer or anchor-shaped tentacle tips that sway gently in the current, and a hobby staple for generations.

PAR (light): 80-150. Medium light. Too much intense light can cause the tissue to retract and shrink.
Flow: Low-Med. Gentle, alternating flow so tentacles can extend fully without being battered.
Water parameters: Temperature 77 to 80°F (25 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 8 to 10 dKH; Calcium 400 to 440 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 10 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.1 ppm.
Feeding: Will take meaty foods like mysis, Reef Roids, or small pellets, though hammers are more subdued eaters than torch or frogspawn and some pieces take patience. Turning off flow for 15 to 30 minutes before feeding helps a lot. One to two feedings a week supports noticeably faster growth, though it is not required for survival.
Trace elements and supplements: Standard LPS calcium, alkalinity and magnesium for skeleton growth. Benefits from amino acid supplements alongside feeding.
Growth tips: Give it wide berth from neighbors, since its sweeper tentacles carry a strong sting. Place it on rock rather than sand, and in lower flow than SPS.
Troubleshooting: Brown jelly disease can appear after physical damage, so remove affected tissue promptly. Recession at the base often points to unstable alkalinity or too much direct flow.

Torch Coral

Euphyllia glabrescens · LPS · Beginner · Native range: Indo-Pacific reef slopes

Grape-like tentacle tips that billow in the flow like an underwater torch flame, making this one of the most popular centerpiece LPS corals.

PAR (light): 80-150. Medium light is ideal. Extremely bright light can cause retraction.
Flow: Low-Med. Gentle, indirect flow, just enough to sway the tentacles without collapsing them.
Water parameters: Temperature 77 to 80°F (25 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 8 to 10 dKH; Calcium 400 to 440 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 10 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.1 ppm.
Feeding: Target feed small meaty foods, like mysis or brine shrimp, one to three times weekly for strong head production. Pausing flow for 10 to 15 minutes during feeding helps the coral capture and hold onto the food.
Trace elements and supplements: Standard LPS mineral dosing. Consistent alkalinity is the single biggest factor in long-term health.
Growth tips: Extends long sweeper tentacles that sting neighbors, so isolate it with real clearance, especially from Acropora.
Troubleshooting: Highly sensitive to alkalinity swings, more so than most LPS. Recession and melting are usually chemistry related rather than disease. Watch for brown jelly after any tissue damage.

Frogspawn Coral

Euphyllia divisa · LPS · Beginner · Native range: Indo-Pacific reef slopes

A branching Euphyllia with grape or finger-shaped tentacle clusters, closely related to torch and hammer and just as hardy.

PAR (light): 80-150. Medium light, the same range as its Euphyllia cousins.
Flow: Low-Med. Gentle, alternating flow.
Water parameters: Temperature 77 to 80°F (25 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 8 to 10 dKH; Calcium 400 to 440 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 10 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.1 ppm.
Feeding: A less enthusiastic eater than hammer or torch, and may reject food some days. Offering mysis or meaty foods once or twice a week is plenty when it does take food; each head can be fed individually with a turkey baster or feeding stick.
Trace elements and supplements: Consistent calcium, alkalinity and magnesium, since this genus is notably alkalinity sensitive.
Growth tips: Branches naturally into more heads over time. Frag it once branches separate, for propagation or trading.
Troubleshooting: Shares the same Euphyllia family risks as hammer and torch: recession from alkalinity swings, brown jelly after damage, and stinging of nearby corals through sweeper tentacles.

Duncan Coral

Duncanopsammia axifuga · LPS · Beginner · Native range: Northern Australia

A fast-growing, forgiving LPS that grows in a cluster of tubes topped with fringed polyps, and a favorite easy beginner coral.

PAR (light): 50-100. Low to medium light. Adaptable to a wide range, including shadier spots.
Flow: Low-Med. Gentle to moderate flow.
Water parameters: Temperature 77 to 80°F (25 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 8 to 10 dKH; Calcium 400 to 440 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 15 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.15 ppm.
Feeding: Feeds enthusiastically. Mysis or pellet foods two to three times a week drive fast head production, making it one of the most reliably responsive LPS to target feeding.
Trace elements and supplements: Standard LPS calcium, alkalinity and magnesium. Tolerant of minor swings compared to Euphyllia species.
Growth tips: New heads sprout from the base regularly under good feeding, so a small frag of one or two heads can fill out quickly.
Troubleshooting: Generally very hardy. Occasional recession is usually feeding or flow related rather than a parameter issue.

Candy Cane Coral

Caulastrea furcata · LPS · Beginner · Native range: Indo-Pacific

Round, striped polyps on branching stalks that resemble candy canes, making for an easy, classic beginner LPS.

PAR (light): 50-100. Low to medium light suits it well.
Flow: Low-Med. Gentle, indirect flow.
Water parameters: Temperature 77 to 80°F (25 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 8 to 10 dKH; Calcium 400 to 440 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 15 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.15 ppm.
Feeding: Accepts small meaty foods and pellets readily, one to two times weekly.
Trace elements and supplements: Standard LPS mineral dosing. Very forgiving of minor fluctuations.
Growth tips: Its branches, or heads, multiply steadily, making it an easy coral to propagate by splitting the skeleton between heads.
Troubleshooting: Very few issues when parameters are stable. Occasional tissue recession usually traces back to a nutrient or flow problem rather than disease.

Elegance Coral

Catalaphyllia jardinei · LPS · Advanced · Native range: Indo-Pacific

A striking anemone-like LPS with long, tapered tentacles. It was historically an easy beginner coral, but Indonesian imports have developed a reputation for an unexplained wasting condition in recent years.

PAR (light): 80-150. Medium light. Give it a stable, uncrowded spot on the sand or low rockwork.
Flow: Low-Med. Gentle flow. Too much can prevent full tentacle extension.
Water parameters: Temperature 77 to 80°F (25 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 8 to 10 dKH; Calcium 400 to 440 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 10 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.1 ppm.
Feeding: Feeds well on mysis and meaty foods one to two times weekly, and its feeding response is a good general health indicator.
Trace elements and supplements: Standard LPS calcium, alkalinity and magnesium dosing.
Growth tips: Give it ample open space, since its long sweeper tentacles are aggressive toward neighbors.
Troubleshooting: Aquacultured or Australian-origin frags are considerably more reliable than wild Indonesian imports, which are prone to a slow, cotton-like wasting infection, so source carefully.

Favia / Favites (Brain Coral)

Dipsastraea spp. / Favites spp. · LPS · Beginner · Native range: Indo-Pacific reefs

Dome-shaped brain corals with fleshy, often brightly patterned polyps packed into a honeycomb skeleton, and both tough and beginner-friendly.

PAR (light): 50-150. Adaptable across low to medium-high light. Color often intensifies with moderate light.
Flow: Low-Med. Moderate, indirect flow keeps detritus from settling in the polyp valleys.
Water parameters: Temperature 77 to 80°F (25 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 8 to 10 dKH; Calcium 400 to 440 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 15 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.15 ppm.
Feeding: One of the most underrated feeders in the hobby. Regular meaty food, like mysis or Reef Roids, noticeably boosts growth and color.
Trace elements and supplements: Standard LPS mineral dosing.
Growth tips: Very tolerant of a wide parameter range, which makes it a great problem-solving coral for less-than-perfect systems.
Troubleshooting: Carries a moderately aggressive sting, so keep clearance from neighbors. Otherwise low-issue and hardy.

Acan (Trumpet/Micromussa)

Micromussa lordhowensis · LPS · Intermediate · Native range: Australia and the Indo-Pacific

Densely packed, fleshy polyps in dazzling color combinations, forming a favorite collector LPS despite being fairly easy to keep.

PAR (light): 30-80. Low light, ideally shaded by rockwork. Direct intense light bleaches and shrinks the polyps.
Flow: Low. Gentle flow. Strong direct flow keeps polyps closed and stressed.
Water parameters: Temperature 77 to 80°F (25 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 8 to 10 dKH; Calcium 400 to 440 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 15 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.15 ppm.
Feeding: Feeds well on small meaty foods, like mysis or Reef Roids, one to two times weekly for improved color and growth.
Trace elements and supplements: Standard LPS mineral dosing. Amino acid supplements can enhance polyp extension.
Growth tips: Place it low in the tank in shade. A common beginner mistake is placing Acans too high or too bright, which shrinks the polyps permanently.
Troubleshooting: Can carry brown jelly infection after physical damage. Some species are aggressive to neighbors and warrant spacing.

Chalice Coral

Echinophyllia / Oxypora / Mycedium spp. · LPS · Intermediate · Native range: Indo-Pacific

A loose umbrella term for several genera of plating LPS famous for wild, fluorescent color patterns.

PAR (light): 50-100. Low to medium light. Many of the brightest color morphs actually prefer shade.
Flow: Low-Med. Moderate flow. Too little allows detritus to settle on the plate and creates dead spots.
Water parameters: Temperature 77 to 80°F (25 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 8 to 10 dKH; Calcium 400 to 440 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 10 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.1 ppm.
Feeding: Accepts fine meaty foods and coral pellets. Feeding helps the plating growth extend outward.
Trace elements and supplements: Standard LPS mineral dosing.
Growth tips: Because the term chalice spans many genera, expect some trial and error finding the right light and flow spot for a specific piece.
Troubleshooting: Among the more aggressive LPS through mucus contact, so give it real spacing from neighbors, especially other chalices.

Bubble Coral

Plerogyra sinuosa · LPS · Beginner · Native range: Indo-Pacific

Grape-like fluid-filled vesicles by day that retract to reveal sweeper tentacles by night, making for a classic, easygoing LPS.

PAR (light): 50-100. Low to medium light. Too much intense light can deflate the bubbles.
Flow: Low. Gentle flow. Strong flow prevents the bubbles from inflating properly.
Water parameters: Temperature 77 to 80°F (25 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 8 to 10 dKH; Calcium 400 to 440 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 15 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.15 ppm.
Feeding: Feeds at night, when bubbles retract and tentacles emerge. Offer mysis or meaty foods after lights out, one to two times weekly.
Trace elements and supplements: Standard LPS mineral dosing.
Growth tips: Give it a lot of clearance, since sweeper tentacles at night carry a strong sting that can damage neighboring corals.
Troubleshooting: Bubbles deflating during the day is often just a light or flow response rather than illness, though persistent deflation can signal a water quality issue.

Blastomussa

Blastomussa wellsi / merleti · LPS · Beginner · Native range: Indo-Pacific

Round, fleshy polyps in clustered or wall growth forms with vivid two-tone coloration, and both hardy and popular.

PAR (light): 50-100. Low to medium, shaded light suits it best.
Flow: Low. Gentle, indirect flow.
Water parameters: Temperature 77 to 80°F (25 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 8 to 10 dKH; Calcium 400 to 440 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 15 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.15 ppm.
Feeding: Feeds well on mysis or small pellets one to two times weekly, and also draws some nutrition directly from dissolved organics in the water.
Trace elements and supplements: Standard LPS mineral dosing. Since it grows slowly, it draws down calcium and alkalinity gradually rather than needing aggressive dosing adjustments.
Growth tips: A slow grower. It can take close to a year to add just a few new polyps even in a well-fed, stable tank, so treat lack of rapid growth as normal rather than a problem.
Troubleshooting: Generally hardy with few chronic issues. Watch for the usual brown jelly risk after physical damage.

Goniopora (Flowerpot Coral)

Goniopora spp. · LPS · Advanced · Native range: Indo-Pacific reef flats and lagoons

A stunning LPS with long, flower-like polyps that sway constantly in the current. It was once nicknamed the "coffin coral" for how reliably wild imports declined within months, though aquacultured colonies and better feeding protocols have made it far more survivable today.

PAR (light): 75-150. Moderate light. Too much can stress the delicate polyps, so start on the low end and watch extension before increasing.
Flow: Low-Med. Gentle, random flow that makes the polyps wave rather than thrash. Constant violent motion means the flow is too strong and will wear the coral down over time.
Water parameters: Temperature 77 to 80°F (25 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 8 to 10 dKH; Calcium 400 to 440 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 5 to 10 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.1 ppm.
Feeding: Feeding is not optional here, it is the single biggest factor in long-term survival. Offer fine foods like phytoplankton, rotifers, and amino acid blends several times a week. Colonies that are never fed tend to waste away slowly over months even when everything else looks fine.
Trace elements and supplements: Stable alkalinity and steady trace element dosing matter more here than with most LPS, since trace element depletion is one of the suspected contributors to Goniopora's historic decline pattern.
Growth tips: Slow and steady in a stable, well-fed tank. Buy aquacultured frags rather than wild-collected colonies whenever possible, since captive-bred Goniopora survive dramatically better long-term.
Troubleshooting: Watch closely for gradual tissue thinning or paling over weeks to months, the classic early warning sign of decline, rather than waiting for sudden tissue loss to appear. Wild imports are far more prone to this than aquacultured stock, so sourcing matters as much as day-to-day care.

Zoanthids

Zoanthus spp. · Soft · Beginner · Native range: Worldwide tropical reefs

Colorful colonial polyps and the hobby's most collected coral family, thanks to endless color combinations. Fast-spreading and easy.

PAR (light): 50-150. Adaptable across a wide range. Higher light intensifies color in most morphs.
Flow: Med. Moderate flow keeps polyps clean and encourages full extension.
Water parameters: Temperature 76 to 80°F (24 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 7 to 10 dKH; Calcium 380 to 450 ppm; Magnesium 1250 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 15 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.15 ppm.
Feeding: Not required to feed directly, since they draw significant nutrition from dissolved organics and light. Occasional fine particulate feeding can help pale colonies.
Trace elements and supplements: Tolerant of a wide mineral range, and benefits more from stable nutrient export than precise trace dosing.
Growth tips: Fast-spreading colonial growth over rock, making it a great coral for filling in an aquascape quickly.
Troubleshooting: Zoanthids can contain palytoxin, a serious toxin, so always wear gloves and avoid touching your face when handling them. Prone to zoa pox, which shows up as small white pustules from irritation or pests, and to predation from nudibranchs, sea spiders and certain fish.

Palythoa

Palythoa spp. · Soft · Beginner · Native range: Worldwide tropical reefs

Close cousins of Zoanthus with larger, often fuzzy-looking polyps and a similarly wide color range.

PAR (light): 50-150. Wide tolerance. Adapts to low or bright light.
Flow: Med. Moderate flow.
Water parameters: Temperature 76 to 80°F (24 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 7 to 10 dKH; Calcium 380 to 450 ppm; Magnesium 1250 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 15 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.15 ppm.
Feeding: Rarely necessary, since it draws nutrition from light and dissolved organics. Occasional fine particulate feeding is optional.
Trace elements and supplements: Tolerant of a wide mineral range.
Growth tips: Spreads over rock in a similar way to zoanthids. Large colonies can be split and traded easily.
Troubleshooting: Contains palytoxin, among the most potent non-protein toxins known. Always handle it with gloves, never with open cuts nearby, and never boil the water to remove pests, since aerosolized palytoxin is a serious poisoning risk.

Green Star Polyps (GSP)

Pachyclavularia / Briareum spp. · Soft · Beginner · Native range: Indo-Pacific

A mat of tiny star-shaped polyps over a purple-brown encrusting base, and one of the fastest-spreading, most beginner-proof corals in the hobby.

PAR (light): 50-150. Wide tolerance. Thrives from low to fairly bright light.
Flow: Med. Moderate flow keeps the polyp mat clean and fully extended.
Water parameters: Temperature 76 to 80°F (24 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 7 to 10 dKH; Calcium 380 to 450 ppm; Magnesium 1250 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 20 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.2 ppm.
Feeding: No target feeding needed. It thrives on light and ambient dissolved nutrients.
Trace elements and supplements: Extremely tolerant, and one of the most forgiving corals in the hobby when it comes to water chemistry.
Growth tips: Grows fast enough to be considered invasive in a mixed reef, so many hobbyists confine it to a frag rack or isolated rock.
Troubleshooting: Few disease issues. The real problem is usually overgrowth of neighboring corals rather than its own health.

Kenya Tree Coral

Capnella spp. · Soft · Beginner · Native range: Indo-Pacific and the Red Sea

A tree-shaped soft coral with feathery polyps that pulse gently. Extremely hardy, and a common first soft coral.

PAR (light): 50-150. Adapts to a wide range; low to moderate light is sufficient.
Flow: Med-High. Prefers moderate to strong, fairly steady current, more than most soft corals. It also helps carry away fragged branches to start new colonies elsewhere in the tank.
Water parameters: Temperature 76 to 80°F (24 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 7 to 10 dKH; Calcium 380 to 450 ppm; Magnesium 1250 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 20 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.2 ppm.
Feeding: Benefits more from feeding than most soft corals; a weekly dose of phytoplankton or marine snow supports it well, and it happily skims organic waste in a refugium too.
Trace elements and supplements: Very tolerant, and runs fine even with a bit of extra nutrient richness in the water, similar to Xenia.
Growth tips: Drops branches that can reattach and grow elsewhere in the tank. That makes it a low-effort coral to propagate, but also one that can spread further than intended.
Troubleshooting: Releases mild terpene compounds that can inhibit neighboring coral growth. Running carbon and keeping a reasonable distance from prized corals both help.

Xenia

Xenia spp. · Soft · Beginner · Native range: Indo-Pacific

Famous for its hypnotic pulsing polyps. Extremely fast-growing and easy, though it can crash without warning even in very clean, well-run tanks.

PAR (light): 50-150. Adapts to a wide range. Moderate light usually gives the best pulsing activity.
Flow: Med. Moderate, gentle to medium flow.
Water parameters: Temperature 76 to 80°F (24 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 7 to 10 dKH; Calcium 380 to 450 ppm; Magnesium 1250 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 20 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.2 ppm.
Feeding: No target feeding required. It relies mostly on light and dissolved organics, and thrives with a small amount of nutrient richness in the water.
Trace elements and supplements: Very tolerant of a wide range. Some hobbyists find iodine dosing supports polyp health.
Growth tips: Grows explosively under the right conditions and can carpet rockwork. It is notorious for occasionally melting away for no clear reason, sometimes called a Xenia crash, even in well-run tanks.
Troubleshooting: The main issue is unpredictability rather than disease. If a colony melts, a nearby frag from the same colony often carries on fine.

Toadstool Leather Coral

Sarcophyton spp. · Soft · Beginner · Native range: Indo-Pacific

A mushroom-cap-shaped leather coral and one of the most beginner-proof corals available: tolerant, resilient, and easy to propagate.

PAR (light): 50-150. Wide tolerance from low to fairly bright light.
Flow: Med. Moderate flow. It periodically sheds a thin mucus or wax film, which flow helps clear away.
Water parameters: Temperature 76 to 80°F (24 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 7 to 10 dKH; Calcium 380 to 450 ppm; Magnesium 1250 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 20 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.2 ppm.
Feeding: No target feeding required. It relies mainly on light, with some uptake of dissolved organics.
Trace elements and supplements: Very forgiving. Iodine dosing is sometimes used to support its periodic skin shedding.
Growth tips: Periodically sheds a waxy film and may close up for a day or two. That is normal behavior, not a health problem.
Troubleshooting: Releases terpene compounds that can suppress neighboring coral growth. Running activated carbon and keeping reasonable spacing from more sensitive corals both help.

Mushroom Coral

Discosoma / Rhodactis spp. · Soft · Beginner · Native range: Worldwide tropical reefs

Flat, disc-shaped corallimorphs in a huge range of colors and patterns, and among the easiest corals to keep and propagate.

PAR (light): 30-80. Low light preferred. Strong direct light often shrivels the disc.
Flow: Low. Gentle, low flow.
Water parameters: Temperature 76 to 80°F (24 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 7 to 10 dKH; Calcium 380 to 450 ppm; Magnesium 1250 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate 2 to 20 ppm; Phosphate 0.03 to 0.2 ppm.
Feeding: Accepts small meaty foods well and can grow noticeably faster with occasional feeding, though it is not required.
Trace elements and supplements: Very tolerant of a wide mineral range.
Growth tips: Spreads by splitting and pedal laceration, making it an easy coral to build a large colony from a single frag.
Troubleshooting: Sensitive to strong flow and intense light, both of which cause the disc to stay curled or shrink. Otherwise very low-issue.

Sun Coral

Tubastraea faulkneri · NPS · Intermediate · Native range: Indo-Pacific caves and overhangs

A vividly orange, non-photosynthetic LPS that opens its polyps to feed rather than basking in light: a rewarding but higher-maintenance coral.

PAR (light): Not needed (non-photosynthetic). Non-photosynthetic, so it has no light requirement. Keep it in shaded, lower-light areas of the tank.
Flow: Med. Moderate, indirect flow to deliver food without blasting the polyps closed.
Water parameters: Temperature 77 to 80°F (25 to 27°C); Salinity 1.024 to 1.026; pH 8.1 to 8.4; Alkalinity 8 to 10 dKH; Calcium 400 to 440 ppm; Magnesium 1300 to 1400 ppm; Nitrate flexible, driven by feeding; Phosphate flexible, driven by feeding.
Feeding: Must be target fed, since that is the whole game with this coral. Feed meaty foods, like mysis or chopped shrimp, to every open polyp three to five times a week. Skipped feedings lead to slow starvation.
Trace elements and supplements: Grows reasonably fast for an LPS given proper feeding, so it needs a steady calcium and alkalinity supply to keep up with new polyp production.
Growth tips: New polyps sprout from the base with consistent feeding. Growth is essentially proportional to feeding frequency and consistency.
Troubleshooting: The single biggest failure mode is under-feeding. A colony that never opens or slowly shrinks is almost always a feeding issue rather than disease. Keep nutrient export gentle enough that other corals are not strained by the extra feeding.

Reef Almanac

💧 Water Log

The hobbyist's field guide

Some corals thrive. Others just survive. Know the difference.

A clear, no-nonsense field guide to PAR, flow, water chemistry, feeding and troubleshooting for reef tank favorites. Everything you need to keep a coral genuinely happy, gathered in one place instead of a dozen open tabs.

25Species profiles

4Coral categories

PAR·FlowGauges per coral

J

Why This Site Exists

I've been in the saltwater side of the hobby for about a year now, and somewhere in there my wife stopped believing me every time I said I "wasn't" on my phone checking coral auction sites at 11pm. This site started as a personal cheat sheet, something I could pull up on my phone at the fish store instead of trying to remember whether a torch wants low flow or high flow. It grew from there, and I figured if it's useful to me, it might be useful to other beginners too.

So far I've had good luck keeping torches, hammers, acans, bowerbanki, blue sympodium, flower anemones, bubble tip anemones, candy cane corals, mushrooms, and a few scolymia. I've also lost two, a stylophora and a cyphastrea, and in both cases it came down to the same mistake: wrong flow and wrong PAR for that specific coral. That's really the whole reason this site is built the way it is, PAR and flow front and center for every entry, so hopefully my next losses stay a lot rarer than my first two.

✓ Torch✓ Hammer✓ Acan✓ Bowerbanki ✓ Blue Sympodium✓ Flower Anemone✓ Bubble Tip Anemone ✓ Candy Cane✓ Mushroom✓ Scolymia ✗ Stylophora✗ Cyphastrea

Jake, the person behind Reef Almanac

Species information is a general hobbyist reference, synthesized from public care guides (including Tidal Gardens' Coral Care Article series and the Reef Rookies YouTube channel), scientific databases, and community consensus. It is not a substitute for testing your own water and observing your own tank, since every reef is different. Reef Almanac is an independent, fan-built resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Tidal Gardens or Reef Rookies. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.