Saltwater Corals for Beginners
If you dream of having your own reef tank, you are not alone. Reef tanks are visually stunning and wildly popular! When people think of saltwater aquariums, they frequently picture these tiny landscapes. However, getting started with a reef tank is no simple feat!
There are over 6,000 varieties of coral that exist on a spectrum of needs. Some are more sensitive to light and water chemistry than others. For those just diving into coral keeping, it is best to begin with varieties that are more forgiving and gradually work your way up to more temperamental types.
In this Saltwater Coral Guide, we are breaking down 20 species of coral to keep in your tank, ranked from least difficult to most advanced. Once you settle on the environment you desire, remember to select the fish.
Table of Contents
Mushroom
Quick Info:
- One of the simplest corals to maintain
- Recommended for: Beginners
- Color: Red, green, purple, blue, gray
- Growth Speed: Fast
- Compatibility: Mostly peaceful
Mushroom Corals (also called Mushroom Anemones, Disc Anemones, or simply “Mushrooms”) are among the best corals for beginners. They include a large variety of species with different colors, sizes, patterns, and textures, and they are resilient and swiftly procreate. They thrive in low-to-moderate water movement and require little lighting. Mushroom coral under low lighting will stretch upwards toward the light, whereas under too-bright light they tend to shrivel; mushrooms receiving the perfect amount of light lie flat. They are photosynthetic and will also absorb nutrients from the water, and therefore do not need to be manually fed in a healthy tank.
In short, mushrooms are ideal “starter coral,” but don’t let the ease of their care fool! These are not exclusive to beginners. Because of their incredible color combinations and variety of growth shapes, mushrooms are among the coral species that advanced hobbyists collect the most.
Green Star Polyps
Quick Info:
- This coral grows quickly and can fill up a barren ta`nk in no time!
- Recommended for: Beginners
- Color: Green
- Growth Speed: Very fast
- Compatibility: Peaceful (but may grow over other coral)
Green Star Polyps (commonly referred to as GSP) are soft coral that are some of the most popular saltwater corals for beginners. Not only can it thrive in virtually any combination of lighting, water flow, and placement, but it also adds movement to the tank with its polyps that hypnotically sway to the flow of the tank. It also grows extremely quickly – perhaps even too rapidly! Left unchecked, it will grow on rocks, the sides of the tank, even over other coral! Keep its rapid expansion in mind when placing it in your tank. While they do gather energy through light, they will benefit from occasional spot feeding, especially if you are looking to jumpstart its growth.
Pulsing Xenia
Quick Info:
- Pulsing Xenia is an excellent source of movement for your tank.
- Recommended For: Beginners
- Color: Gray, tan, white, pink
- Growth Speed: Very fast
- Compatibility: Peaceful (but may grow over other coral)
Pulsing Xenia have many things in common with GSPs. While they are slightly more sensitive to tank conditions, they are still extremely hardy and a good choice for new tanks. They also have the potential to grow out of control if permitted, so watch out! However, if placed on an island or next to some more aggressive coral that will keep them in line, pulsing xenia can be a beautiful addition to your tank. What sets it apart from other corals is the pulsing for which it is named. The pulsing xenia’s polyps open and close in a pulsing motion that makes it fascinating to watch.
Fun Fact: They are one of the very few corals that can move or “pulse” on their own without assistance from the water flow in the tank.
Kenya Tree
Quick Info:
- These corals resemble a tree with a central trunk and branches
- Recommended For: Beginners
- Color: Cream, brown, pink
- Growth Speed: Fast
- Compatibility: Peaceful (but may grow over other coral)
Kenya Tree Coral or Cauliflower Soft Coral or Broccoli Soft Coral look like tiny, underwater trees. They prefer to be kept in moderate to high lighting and moderate flow. Be sure to give this coral some space to avoid inadvertent shading of adjacent coral. The Kenya tree coral may also exude chemicals that could damage other coral. While they are relatively forgiving, one factor that may make keeping this coral slightly more difficult than other soft coral its native waters are very nutrient-rich. Kenya tree coral therefore will require more active feeding than other similar species of coral. They are also known to be self-propagating, dropping small branches on the occasion that can grow into new colonies.
Zoanthid/Polythoa
Quick Info:
- Simple to maintain, easy to frag, full of brilliant colors. Zoanthids/palythoa are a triple threat… but also a literal threat!
- Recommended For: Beginners
- Color: Various
- Growth Speed: Variable depending on type
- Compatibility: Mostly peaceful
Zoanthids/Palythoa (colloquially called “zoas” or “palys”) are an extremely bright and colorful subset of soft coral. Their bright colors, hardiness, and tolerance of fragging makes them an appealing option for first-time reef keepers. They have over 100 varieties to choose from and varieties include virtually any possible color combination! However, they do have one very serious drawback. Some palythoas contain an extremely potent neurotoxin called palytoxin, so should be handled with the utmost care!
