Corals come in many shapes, sizes, and growth styles. To make choosing and caring for them easier, we group them into four main categories: SPS, LPS, Soft Corals, and Zoanthids and Mushrooms. Each group has its own care requirements, growth habits, and visual appeal.
SPS Corals (Small Polyp Stony)
SPS corals build rigid calcium skeletons and have very small polyps that extend slightly from their surface. They are known for their incredible structure and vivid coloration but require precise water chemistry and high-intensity lighting. Stability is everything with SPS systems.
- Care Level: Advanced
- Lighting: High
- Flow: Strong, turbulent
- Examples: Acropora, Montipora, Stylophora
SPS thrive in environments with consistent alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium levels. Dosing and nutrient control are essential for maintaining color and growth.
LPS Corals (Large Polyp Stony)
LPS corals have larger, fleshy polyps that sway in the water and give them a more dynamic appearance. They are generally hardier than SPS and can tolerate slightly higher nutrient levels. Their skeletons are still calcium-based but less dense and faster-growing.
- Care Level: Intermediate
- Lighting: Moderate to high
- Flow: Moderate and indirect
- Examples: Hammer, Torch, Frogspawn, Acan, Candy Cane
LPS corals appreciate regular feeding with fine particulate foods and benefit from balanced nutrients supported by products like Hydroshock and Ammplify.
Soft Corals
Soft corals lack a hard skeleton and instead have flexible, leathery bodies that bend with the current. They are some of the most forgiving and beginner-friendly corals and adapt well to a range of lighting and nutrient levels.
- Care Level: Beginner
- Lighting: Low to moderate
- Flow: Moderate to strong
- Examples: Kenya Tree, Leather Corals, Xenia, Clove Polyps
Soft corals grow quickly and can help stabilize new tanks by naturally absorbing nutrients. They are ideal for newer reef systems or as fillers between larger LPS colonies.
Zoanthids and Mushrooms
Zoanthids and Mushroom corals are some of the most colorful and resilient species in the reef aquarium hobby. They spread across rockwork and create vibrant carpets of texture and color.
- Care Level: Beginner
- Lighting: Low to moderate
- Flow: Gentle to moderate
- Examples: Zoanthus, Palythoa, Ricordea, Discosoma
These corals tolerate a wide range of conditions, making them perfect for mixed reefs. Stable nutrients and trace element dosing help maintain their color intensity and growth rate.
Choosing the Right Coral for Your System
When building a reef, match your coral choices to your equipment, experience level, and maintenance routine. SPS corals reward precision, LPS corals add movement and variety, Soft corals bring growth and coverage, and Zoanthids and Mushrooms fill in color and texture.
Every coral grown at New Dawn Aquaculture is cultivated under stable, nutrient-balanced conditions using our Reef Charge product line. Whether you are setting up your first reef or expanding an established one, our systems and products provide the foundation for success.
