Good first corals are hardy and forgiving: zoanthids, leather corals such as Sinularia and toadstools, mushrooms, green star polyps, xenia, and hardy LPS such as hammer, frogspawn, duncan and candy cane. Several grow fast and spread, so give them their own rock where they can’t take over.
Ten beginner corals
Bulk Reef Supply’s list of ten good first corals, with its notes.
| Coral | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Zoanthids | Soft | Fast and tolerant; keep on an island so they don’t spread everywhere |
| Sinularia (leather) | Soft | Grows fast and large; expect to prune it |
| Toadstool leather | Soft | Hardy, tolerant of imperfect water |
| Xenia | Soft | Very fast; isolate it so you can control it |
| Green star polyps | Soft | Grows in sheets over anything, even equipment; isolate it |
| Hammer, frogspawn, torch (Euphyllia) | LPS | Adaptable to most places; rarely needs pruning |
| Bubble coral | LPS | Large polyps; moderate growth |
| Duncan | LPS | Forgiving; responds well to feeding |
| Candy cane (Caulastrea) | LPS | Moderate growth; needs adequate light and flow |
| Mushrooms | Soft | The easiest and cheapest, but can spread aggressively |
Give spreaders their own space
Bulk Reef Supply’s warnings repeat: zoanthids, xenia, green star polyps and mushrooms can take over. Put them on a separate rock or island in the sand, where you can trim or remove them.
Placement and space
Start new corals lower in the tank and out of the strongest flow, then move them if they look unhappy. Leave space between colonies; LPS like Euphyllia have sweeper tentacles that can sting neighbours.
See how to acclimate corals and fish for getting them into the tank.
Keep a record
Note each coral, its price and where you placed it. The Companion’s spending log tracks what you’ve spent, and a note on your test log marks the day it went in.
Common questions
What’s the easiest coral to keep?
Bulk Reef Supply calls mushrooms the easiest and least expensive, though they can spread.
When can I add corals to a new tank?
Once the tank has cycled and parameters are steady, many keepers start with one or two hardy corals.
Do beginner corals need special lighting?
Most do well under a decent reef light. Ask about the specific coral.
Sources and limits
Last checked 13 October 2026. Coral needs vary by specimen and tank. Ask your shop about lighting and flow for the exact coral you’re buying.
Keep going
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