Choosing The Right Corals

Jan 19, 2026

Choosing The Right Corals For Your Reef Tank

Picking your first (or next) corals can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. With so many shapes, colors, and care levels, it’s easy to buy the wrong coral for your setup. By matching coral species to your lighting, flow, and experience level, you’ll build a reef that not only looks amazing but also thrives long-term.

Match Corals To Your Experience Level

Before you fall in love with that neon acropora frag, be honest about your current skill level and tank stability. Corals generally fall into three broad categories:

Soft corals (best for beginners) – Tolerant of small parameter swings and lower light. Great starter choices include zoanthids, green star polyps, leathers, and mushrooms.
LPS corals (intermediate) – Large polyp stony corals like hammer, torch, frogspawn, and candy cane. They need more stable alkalinity and calcium, and moderate lighting.
SPS corals (advanced) – Small polyp stony corals such as acropora and montipora. They demand strong light, strong flow, and very stable parameters.

New reefers are usually happiest starting with hardy soft corals and a few forgiving LPS. Once you’ve mastered stable water chemistry and regular testing (see our guide to saltwater aquarium parameters), you’ll be in a better position to keep demanding SPS species.

Lighting, Flow, And Placement

Even hardy corals can struggle if they’re placed in the wrong spot. When choosing corals at your local shop, think ahead about where they’ll live in your aquascape.

Lighting considerations

Low to moderate light: Mushrooms, leathers, and many zoanthids do well lower in the tank or in shaded areas.
Moderate light: Most LPS, like hammers and brains, prefer mid-level rockwork.
High light: SPS corals usually go near the top under strong, stable lighting.

If you’re unsure what your lights can support, review your fixture’s PAR recommendations and compare them with your livestock plans. Our beginner saltwater aquarium setup guide covers basic lighting choices and how to avoid common mistakes.

Flow and aggression

Soft corals typically enjoy gentle, random flow that keeps them swaying without folding over.
LPS corals prefer moderate flow; too much can damage fleshy polyps.
SPS corals often require strong, turbulent flow to remove waste and bring nutrients.

Also watch for coral aggression. Some LPS, like torch corals, have long sweeper tentacles that can sting neighbors. Leave room between colonies and plan for growth over the next 6–12 months, not just how the tank looks today.

Budget, Maintenance, And Long‑Term Planning

Corals vary widely in price and care needs. Designer zoas and high-end torches can cost as much as an entire beginner setup. Instead of chasing hype, focus on:

Hardy, common varieties that tolerate minor mistakes.
Frags over colonies – smaller pieces are cheaper and adapt better.
Corals that fit your maintenance style – if you don’t like dosing, avoid heavy SPS-dominant plans.

Tip: Choose a theme for your reef (softie garden, LPS lagoon, or mixed reef) and build slowly. Adding a few corals at a time lets you monitor how your system responds.

Finally, quarantine or at least carefully inspect new corals for pests and algae. A quick dip and visual check can prevent months of frustration later. For more planning help, see our saltwater aquarium stocking guide to match fish and corals that coexist peacefully.

Choosing the right corals is about more than color—it’s about matching your tank’s capabilities and your own routine. Start with hardy species, respect lighting and flow needs, and plan for future growth. With a thoughtful approach, your reef will mature into a vibrant, healthy display you can enjoy for years.