15 Easy Corals For Your New Reef Tank

Not responding well to bright lights or heavy currents, to allow for maximal expansion and reproduction, these corals are best kept under lower lighting conditions (fluorescent lighting is ideal) with little water movement. Safe with fish, crustaceans and motile invertebrates, but should not be placed next to other soft and stony corals and sessile invertebrates, because of the detrimental effect they can have on them.

Commonly known as Leathers and Mushrooms, these are excellent starter corals, being adaptable to most light & current conditions. Moderate light & current is usually optimal for these beautiful species.

Commonly known as Star Polyps, Green Star Polyps and Daisy Polyps, these corals are tolerant of both intense and low level light as well as a range of currents. Being sensitive to iodine & aluminum oxide which are found in some phosphate removing sponges, caution should be taken when adding these materials to your tank. These are very good starter corals.

Commonly known as Sea Mat and Button Polyps, these corals prefer bright light, but are tolerant of lower light. Preferring moderate to strong current, Palythoas have a high reproductive rate and are very aggressive. Some of these species contain a strong neurotoxin which affects humans. These species are good starter corals.

Commonly known as Finger Leather and Colt these are excellent starter corals. While adaptable to most light and current conditions, these beautiful corals prefer moderate light and current.

Commonly known as Sea Mat and Button Polyps, these colorful corals prefer bright light, but are tolerant of lower light. Preferring moderate to strong current these very aggressive corals have a high reproductive rate. Some of these species contain a strong neurotoxin which can affect humans. These are considered to be good starter corals.

Common names of these corals include: Toadstool Coral, Leather Coral, Mushroom Leather Coral and Trough Coral.[P] These are great beginner's corals which adapt well to most lighting schemes and low to moderate current levels. These corals grow rapidly and are considered excellent for propagation.

Common names of these corals include: Zoanthid, Sea Mat and Button Polyps. While these corals prefer bright light, they are tolerant of lower light and prefer moderate to strong current, making them a good starter coral. These aggressive corals have a high reproductive rate and can spread rapidly in an aquarium. Some species in this genus contain a strong neurotoxin which can affect humans.

Common names include: Velvet Coral, Velvet Finger Coral and Velvet Branch Coral.[P] Considered to be a good beginners coral, the specimens in this genus are adaptable to many light and current levels and are excellent for propagation.

Common names include: Lobed Brain Coral, Flat Brain Coral, Open Brain Coral, Meat Coral, Modern Coral, Large Flower Coral.[P] These corals do best with bright direct light and calm currents however if minimally adequate light and water movement is provided, it will grow well in a tank.[P] This coral normally feeds actively at night, however the tentacles occasionally extend during the day and readily take food offerings feeding almost exclusively on zooplankton and bacterioplankton which consists of free-living bacteria, detritus, particulate (POM) and suspended organic matter (SOM). [P] Lobophyllia are not normally aggressive however there have been reports of sweeper tentacles being formed when they come in contact with other corals.