Start after the cycle is complete and temperature, salinity and alkalinity have remained stable for several weeks. Tank age alone is not a readiness test.
Zoanthids, mushrooms, leathers, Duncan and candy cane corals can be good starting choices. Ricordea need careful acclimation; hammer and torch corals suit beginners ready to manage their stinging tentacles and spacing.
Zoanthids
Soft coral · Zoanthus sp.
Easy · Medium light · Low–med flow · Lower / mid
Often forgiving once acclimated. Some can contain potent palytoxin: wear gloves and eye protection, and never boil or use hot water on zoanthid rock.
Mushrooms
Soft coral · Discosoma / Rhodactis
Easy · Low light · Low flow · Bottom / shade
Prefer lower light and gentle flow. A loose mushroom may detach if placement is unsuitable; move it to a low-flow cup or basket rather than letting it drift.
Ricordea
Soft coral · Ricordea sp.
Easy–moderate · Low–med light · Low flow · Bottom
Start in lower light with gentle flow and acclimate slowly. Leave space between specimens as they expand and multiply.
Leather Coral
Soft coral · Sarcophyton sp.
Easy · Med light · Med flow · Mid / upper rock
Provide moderate, indirect flow. Periodic closure and waxy shedding can be normal; persistent closure needs a water and flow check.
Hammer Coral
LPS · Fimbriaphyllia ancora
Moderate · Med light · Gentle–med flow · Lower / mid
Leave at least 15–20 cm and inspect after lights-out; sweeper reach varies with the colony and water flow.
Torch Coral
LPS · Euphyllia glabrescens
Moderate · Med light · Gentle–med flow · Lower / mid
Long, potent sweeper tentacles can reach farther than a hammer. Allow 20 cm or more and increase the gap if flow carries them farther.
Duncan
LPS · Duncanopsammia axifuga
Easy · Low–med light · Low–med flow · Bottom / mid
Tolerant of lower light and accepts small meaty foods, but target feeding is optional. Avoid large pieces and overfeeding.
Browse LPS corals for Duncan availability
Candy Cane
LPS · Caulastraea furcata
Easy · Low–med light · Low–med flow · Mid rock
Usually has modest sweepers, but still leave several centimetres around it and check the reach after lights-out.
Choosing your first coral
Each WYSIWYG listing shows the exact coral for sale. Inspect and quarantine where possible; use a coral-safe dip exactly as directed. Dips do not kill every pest egg.
Colours vary with the specimen, lighting and display settings. Use the photographs on the individual WYSIWYG listing to choose your coral. Collection contents and availability change.