Every aquarist should have a bit of knowledge of what corals are. They are what make up the reef tank. But where does the problem come into play? Keeping and managing them, right? Many will agree. Coral difficulty depends on the type of corals. Some are easy to house while others pose problems in keeping.
The essence of this article is to provide essential information to aspiring aquarists who want to begin the journey of adding corals to their tanks. As a beginner, you may have little or no knowledge of the best corals, but that doesn’t mean your dreams of adding corals to your tank is shattered. Many thanks to this article. You stumbled on the right information to read!
Before you go out to buy the first frag of coral you see, you should bear in mind that some corals will make it while others won’t. Tanks differ, and there may be a coral you can’t keep in your current setup.
What is the main thing corals need, anyway? Your corals will need water parameter stability. Talking of the ideal water parameters, the article HERE will go a long way in helping and guiding you.
Best Corals for Beginners in an Aquarium
Just as we covered the 10 Best Freshwater Fish For Beginners and the 10 Best Saltwater Fish For Beginners, let’s now focus on the best corals for beginners.
Toadstool Leather Coral
This coral is available in a variety of shapes and pastel colors and can be of significance in any aquarium. The various shapes and colors give you a massive pool to choose from for your aquarium. Its polyps provide a nice motion when irregular flow crosses them. They are a host to many species of fish like the clownfish.
Proper planning is required when dealing with the toadstool leather coral. As these corals may grow extremely large and shadow the corals beneath, you should have a plan of where to locate them. Creasing and creation of unusual patterns are few characteristics of these types of corals as they grow.
Palythoas (Palys)
Talk of your first choice for your first few corals? This type of coral is a great option for this. Palythoas are also very hardy coral. They are available in a variety of colors, but most of them are muted and bland. But what do you need to do with the junk? You should select the good ones and keep the junk ones at the store.
Color mixing of these corals is always possible. When they are grown and established, place them next to other Paly’s and Zoa’s. If happy and established, these corals multiply and spread well.
Kenya Tree
The tree is a beautiful coral full of branches and polyps that grows like a tree. In the current, the coral sways back and forth. They are available in many colors ranging from purple through white to bright green.
Their reproduction is relatively easy. Under favorable conditions, they thrive well and drop their branches. These branches will sprout then sprout into new corals. You are only required to pick them up, stuff them in in any rock whole, and you will have a brand new tree! Isn’t that awesome?
Zoanthids (Zoas)
These corals have breathtaking colors to pick from in a group. They multiply quickly and grow fast. There’s no stress about these corals. They are easy to keep and can be placed anywhere. I mean anywhere in your aquarium. And do you know? You can create your entire tank of Zoas alone, and they will look outstanding. The downside of these corals is a probable Palytoxin poisoning. The factor is because these corals are in the same species of Palythoas. You may also use Zoas to fill in the holes between your SPS and LPS corals.
Green Star Polyps (GSP)
The coral is a popular and mesmerizing coral that grows on any surface, even the glass surface. Under a little bit of actinic light, Green Star Polyps glow neon green. These types of corals multiply and grow very fast. When these corals receive good irregular flow, they tend to resemble a wind blowing over a wheat field. If you are intending to let the corals grow however they like, then you’ll be in a big mess. These corals may grow and cover your entire tank if allowed in your aquarium. The growth may result in them killing your fish. To avoid this, keep them on a rock isolated on the sand bed or allow them to cover their black glass. When they begin to overgrow, trim them using a razor blade.
Blastomussa (Blastos)
These corals are easy and so pretty, which makes them ideal for beginners. The corals low to moderate lighting and flow. They gain most of their energy from the light but will surely benefit from additional feedings of coral food to help speed up growth. You may keep these corals in places that are too bright or have too much flow if you notice the flashy heads are not opening.
Duncans
The corals like moderate to high lighting and high flow of current. Most of their energy is gained from light. However, anything meaty will be a bonus to them. Duncans grow and multiply quickly with minimal attention when happy. The corals branch off and form new heads. They are available in a variety of colors. Their colors include cream, blue, purple, pink, and green. Placing corals with different colors close to each other makes fantastic focal points and a good view. They are ideal for beginners and addition to aquariums with the colors and movement in the flow.
Montipora
Montipora is a very familiar coral. They grow well, grow fast, and are always that first frags that may give you money if sold. They can be referred to as the ‘dinner plates’ that grow and shadow everything. You can choose from the different color varieties ranging from green to pink to purple. The pink and green Montipora corals can be bright neon forming an eye-catching view. Care ought to be taken when finding the right place to keep them. These corals grow fasts and cover anything underneath. For instance, you may place them on the ends of the fish tank, and you’ll find species like shrimp hanging under them. Montipora corals obtain most of their energy from the light, but supplemental feedings will be a significant boost in their growth.
Frogspawn Coral
They belong to the Large Polyp Stony (LPS) family. They are super hardy and bring magnificent color to your aquarium. Their name (frogspawn) comes from the long tentacles with rounded tips that resemble frogspawn. The frogspawn corals are available in a wide range of colors; orange, pink, and purple. Although the corals are aggressive to each other, they still can be kept together. Hammers and torches may also be added to the aquarium. The corals prefer moderate to high lighting and flow. They obtain most of their energy from the light but also benefit from Reef Roids and Reef Chilli, which are coral foods.
Xenia
Xenia is perhaps one of the fast-growing soft corals. Unlike many other corals, xenia is available in a few varieties. The most common is the pulsing kind. Xenia goes beyond adding movement to your tank by swaying in the current. It also portrays a unique ability to rhythmically close and opens its tentacles. The moving is what is referred to as the pulse. As xenia is so prolific, it is wise to isolate the colony to the islands where it can be back and easily controlled.
Sinularia Leather
This coral is available in a variety of colors; green, purple, red, yellow, and pink. Fluorescent green is, however, the main color of these corals. Once established, they can grow fast and become large. They are usually pruned after 12 months using scissors or coral sheers. Sinularia leather sways with the current inside the tank since it lacks the rigid skeletal structure.
Caulastrea (Candy Cane Corals)
These corals are similar to Duncans in terms of growth. A branching Caulastrea always has neon green polyps. A variety of other color options are also provided. Apart from sufficient light and water flow, Caulastrea corals do not have any major requirements. The requirements make them easy to care for in an aquarium. The corals are also moderate growers in terms of speed and size.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are one of the easiest corals to care for in an aquarium. They can grow fast and take over the tank if left unchecked. They are inexpensive and available in a variety of colors. Mushrooms prefer low to moderate lighting and flow. They grow and spread well, and you can find them in unique patterns and shapes. These creatures are the best corals for beginners since they require little demand and conditions to thrive. They obtain most of their energy from the light but can also feed on anything they capture from the water.
Bubble Coral
They are bags of water that move well in the water flow. Bubble corals are available in colors pink, purple, green, and white. The corals are also easy to care for in an aquarium.
Final Thoughts
Corals are not difficult to keep when comparing the care to your fish. You should take your time and don’t rush to fill the tank. These unique creatures bring beauty to any aquarium. If you are debating about purchasing them, take action, and obtain one now!
