Popular Reef Corals for Beginners

For the fledgling reef keeper, choosing your first coral is exciting, but can be overwhelming. Corals available for home reef aquariums can be broadly categorized into two basic groups – soft corals and hard corals. Of the two, soft corals are better suited for the beginner since they are easier to care for and more hardy than hard corals. Below is a list of gorgeous soft corals recommended for their ease-of-care, hardy nature, and overall suitability for the beginning hobbyist.

Neon Pineapple Tree Coral

(Capnella sp.)

The Neon Pineapple Tree Coral has a thick trunk, like a tree, and many short, thick branches, giving it an arboreal appearance. The surface of the coral resembles a pinecone or pineapple. These corals should be placed in the middle to bottom of the aquarium where they can receive moderate lighting and waterflow.

Lavender Mushroom

(Rhodactis sp.)

The Lavender Mushroom is easy to maintain in the reef aquarium, and a good choice for the beginner hobbyist. It requires a low to medium light level combined with medium water movement, and should be placed in the bottom half of the aquarium.

Thick Finger Leather Coral

(Sinularia spp.)

The Thick Finger Leather Coral is also referred to as Sinularia Coral, Finger Leather, or Trough Coral. They are found in various shades of brown or green with white or gold polyps. It is difficult to identify many species because they all have the similar appearance of a mushroom or toadstool, each with a distinct stalk and capitulum (cap). As they grow older, they develop a folded appearance. Leather corals like lots of light and medium to strong waterflow. These corals can be placed in the middle or bottom of the aquarium.

Polyp Corals

(Zoanthus sp.)

Polyp Corals, also referred to as Moon Polyps, Encrusting Anemones, or Sea Mats, are generally brown or tan in color, but may also be green with fluorescence under actinic lighting. They are a colonial animal with multiple individual polyps attached to a piece of live rock or coral rubble. Polyp Corals require moderate lighting and waterflow. Polyp Corals should be placed in the middle section of the aquarium.

Cauliflower Colt Coral

(Klyxum sp.)

The Cauliflower Colt Coral is also referred to as Colt Coral, Soft Finger Leather Coral, Seaman's Hands Coral, or Blushing Coral. It is very difficult to identify an exact species because there is so much variation of shape and color within each. It is slippery to the touch. Cauliflower Colt Corals can be placed anywhere in the aquarium and prefer moderate to strong lighting and waterflow.

Cabbage Leather Coral

(Sinularia brassica)

The Cabbage Leather Coral is also referred to as Flat Leather Coral, Flower Leather Coral, or Carpet Coral. It is found in a variety of colors, usually tan to brown with lighter striations. Its flat, lobed appearance resembles a cabbage leaf. These corals should be placed in the upper half of the aquarium and prefer moderate to strong lighting and waterflow.