Understanding coral types is one of the most important steps in reef keeping because different corals have very different needs for lighting, water flow, placement, feeding, and long-term stability. Most corals kept in reef aquariums fall into three main categories: soft corals, LPS corals, and SPS corals. This guide explains the differences between each group, how they behave in a reef tank, and how to choose the right corals for your experience level and aquarium setup.

Many problems in reef tanks start when hobbyists buy corals based only on appearance without understanding how those corals grow, spread, compete, or respond to lighting and flow. A coral that looks amazing in a store or on a frag plug may need completely different conditions than the coral next to it. Once you understand the major coral groups, it becomes much easier to plan a reef tank that looks better, grows better, and stays healthier over time.

Looking to build a more balanced reef tank? Browse our new arrival corals and explore corals for beginner reefs, mixed reefs, and more advanced SPS systems.

The Three Main Types of Coral

Most corals in the reef hobby fall into three main categories:

• Soft Corals
• Large Polyp Stony (LPS) Corals
• Small Polyp Stony (SPS) Corals

Each type has different care requirements, growth patterns, aggression levels, and difficulty levels. Knowing which category a coral belongs to helps you predict how it will behave in your aquarium and whether it will fit your current system.

Soft Corals (Beginner Friendly and Fast Growing)

Soft corals are generally the easiest corals to care for and are often the best starting point for beginner reef keepers. Unlike stony corals, they do not build a rigid calcium skeleton in the same way LPS and SPS corals do. Many soft corals are more forgiving of minor parameter swings and adapt well to a range of reef environments.

Soft corals are known for:

• Fast growth
• Movement in the tank
• Lower to moderate lighting needs
• Greater tolerance for beginner mistakes

Zoanthids

Zoanthids are among the most popular corals in reef tanks because of their intense colors, wide variety of patterns, and fast-spreading growth. They form colonies that can quickly cover rockwork and are often used to create colorful zoa gardens.

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Mushrooms (Corallimorphs)

Mushroom corals are very hardy and often thrive in lower light and lower flow conditions. They are a great choice for beginners and can spread quickly in stable systems.

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Toadstool Leather Coral

Toadstool leathers are large, hardy soft corals that develop a broad cap with flowing polyps. They often become centerpiece corals and are known for their durability and strong visual structure.

Xenia Coral

Xenia is known for its pulsing motion and rapid growth. It can spread aggressively, so it should be placed carefully if you do not want it overtaking nearby corals.

Soft Coral Care Summary

• Lighting: Low to moderate
• Flow: Low to moderate
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best for: Beginners, mixed reefs, tanks that need motion and color

Soft corals are often the best way to gain confidence in reef keeping before moving into more sensitive coral groups.

LPS Corals (Movement, Structure and Showpiece Appeal)

Large Polyp Stony corals, usually called LPS corals, have a hard skeleton with large fleshy polyps. They offer a balance between beauty and moderate difficulty, which is why many reef keepers move into LPS after they gain some experience with soft corals.

LPS corals are known for:

• Flowing movement
• Larger fleshy polyps
• Showpiece appearance
• Moderate care requirements

Torch Coral (Euphyllia)

Torch corals have long flowing tentacles and are among the most sought-after LPS corals in the hobby. They require stable conditions and careful spacing because their sweeper tentacles can sting nearby corals.

Hammer Coral

Hammer corals are known for their hammer-shaped tips and strong movement in the tank. Many reef keepers find them slightly more forgiving than torch corals, though they still need good stability and proper placement.

Frogspawn Coral

Frogspawn corals have branching heads and rounded tentacle tips. They are popular because they combine movement, size, and strong visual appeal in mixed reef tanks.

Goniopora (Flowerpot Coral)

Goniopora has long extended polyps and can be more sensitive than many other LPS corals. It often benefits from stable conditions, careful placement, and consistent feeding support.

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LPS Coral Care Summary

• Lighting: Moderate
• Flow: Low to moderate or moderate indirect flow
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best for: Reef keepers who want movement, structure, and centerpiece corals

LPS corals are often a great next step for hobbyists who want more dramatic corals but are not ready for a full SPS system.

SPS Corals (Advanced Reef Keeping and High Stability)

Small Polyp Stony corals, or SPS corals, are generally the most demanding coral group in reef keeping. They rely heavily on strong lighting, strong flow, and very stable water chemistry. These corals usually reward excellent husbandry with fast skeletal growth, intense colors, and a mature reef look.

SPS corals are known for:

• Fast skeletal growth
• Small polyps
• Strong reliance on water stability
• Higher light and flow requirements

Acropora

Acropora are among the most sought-after SPS corals in the hobby. They usually require strong lighting, high flow, and tight parameter stability to do well long term.

Montipora

Montipora are often considered a more approachable SPS coral than Acropora. They can grow in plating, branching, or encrusting forms and add beautiful structure to a reef.

Birdsnest Coral

Birdsnest corals grow quickly and form dense branching colonies. They are often one of the first SPS corals hobbyists try when moving into more advanced reef keeping.

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SPS Coral Care Summary

• Lighting: High
• Flow: High
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Best for: Mature reef tanks with strong stability and experienced reef keepers

Why Coral Type Matters So Much

Understanding coral type helps you avoid one of the biggest mistakes in reef keeping: placing all corals as if they need the same environment. They do not.

For example:

• A mushroom coral may struggle in the same high-flow, high-light area where Acropora thrives
• A torch coral may sting neighbors if crowded too closely
• A fast-growing soft coral may overtake rock space intended for slower-growing SPS corals

Once you understand the differences between coral groups, placement, compatibility, and growth planning become much easier.

Key Factors That Affect All Corals

No matter what coral type you choose, success depends on a few critical factors.

Lighting

Corals rely on light for energy, but different species need different intensities. Too much or too little light can both create serious problems.

Water Flow

Flow affects nutrient delivery, waste removal, oxygen exchange, and the coral’s ability to stay clean.

Stability

Stable parameters are usually more important than chasing perfect numbers. Constant swings often cause more damage than slightly imperfect but stable water.

Placement

Correct placement based on lighting, flow, aggression, and future growth is one of the biggest factors in coral success.

Compatibility

Some corals sting, some release chemicals, and some simply grow fast enough to crowd out others. Coral compatibility always matters.

Signs of Stress

Bleaching, poor extension, tissue recession, and abnormal behavior are all signs that a coral may be struggling with its environment.

Tissue Loss and Necrosis

Tissue damage is often a sign of serious stress from instability, pests, aggression, or poor placement and should never be ignored.

Choosing the Right Corals for Your Tank

A proven path for many reef keepers is:

• Start with soft corals
• Move into LPS corals
• Add SPS corals once your tank is stable and mature

This progression lets you build experience while reducing risk. It also helps you understand how your tank handles light, flow, nutrients, and coral growth before moving into more demanding livestock.

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Common Mistakes Beginners Make

• Adding too many corals too quickly
• Ignoring coral compatibility
• Placing corals incorrectly
• Chasing perfect numbers instead of stability
• Mixing difficult corals into immature systems

Avoiding these mistakes can dramatically improve your long-term reef success.

Coral Compatibility and Spacing

Many corals compete for space, and that competition can become more intense as colonies grow.

• Some corals sting nearby neighbors
• Some release chemicals into the water
• Some grow aggressively and overtake others

Always allow enough space, especially around LPS corals with sweeper tentacles and fast-spreading soft corals.

Signs of Healthy Corals

Healthy corals typically show:

• Strong polyp extension
• Bright coloration
• Consistent growth
• No visible tissue damage
• A stable, settled appearance in the tank

Watching your reef daily is one of the best ways to catch problems early before they become major losses.

Related Corals and Reef Tank Topics You May Also Like

If you are learning coral types and planning a better reef tank, these related guides may also help:

• Coral care guide
• How lighting affects coral growth
• The impact of water flow on coral health
• Find the right coral for your tank
• Browse new arrival corals

Ready to build a thriving reef tank? Browse our new arrival corals and choose corals that match your tank, your experience level, and your long-term goals.

Shop Corals by Reef Tank Style

Explore our soft corals, LPS corals, SPS corals, and new arrival corals to build a reef tank that fits your experience and goals.

Final Thoughts

Understanding coral types is one of the foundations of successful reef keeping. By choosing the right corals for your experience level and providing stable conditions, you can build a reef tank that grows more beautiful and more stable over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the easiest coral for beginners?
A: Soft corals such as zoanthids, mushrooms, and many leather corals are often among the easiest corals for beginners.

Q: What is the difference between LPS and SPS corals?
A: LPS corals have large fleshy polyps and moderate care needs, while SPS corals usually require stronger lighting, stronger flow, and much tighter stability.

Q: Can you mix coral types in one tank?
A: Yes, but placement, flow, spacing, and compatibility must be managed carefully.

Q: Are soft corals always easier than LPS and SPS corals?
A: Many soft corals are easier for beginners, but some can still spread aggressively or create compatibility issues if not placed carefully.

Q: Why is coral placement so important?
A: Placement affects lighting, flow, aggression, and long-term growth, making it one of the biggest factors in reef tank success.

About the Author

Scott Shiles is the owner of ExtremeCorals.com, which he has operated for over 25 years and is recognized as one of the early dedicated live coral websites on the internet. A lifelong reef keeper since 1984, Scott has decades of hands-on experience maintaining marine aquariums and previously owned and operated a brick and mortar aquarium retail store for 10 years, including five years alongside Extreme Corals. He holds a degree in Marine Biology and has personally selected and sold hundreds of thousands of live corals. An avid scuba diver who has explored reef systems around the world, Scott shares practical coral care and husbandry knowledge based on real world reef experience.