Top 10 Picks from Eye Catching Coral
Eye Catching Coral (ECC) has built a reputation for producing some of the healthiest, most colorful aquacultured corals in the hobby. Based in Ohio, they operate a state-of-the-art facility that focuses on sustainable coral farming and aquaculture initiatives designed to reduce pressure on wild reefs while improving availability for reef keepers everywhere.
Eye Catching Coral’s frags and anemones are typically only available to fish stores and wholesale clients, but now you can find a curated selection of their stunning corals right here at BRS!
Let's take a look at the top 10 customer favorites from Eye Catching Coral. Along the way, we’ll share helpful tips for keeping each one happy and healthy in your reef tank.
1) Bubble Tip Anemones
What if I told you the first thing on our list isn’t even a coral? It’s true. Bubble Tip Anemones from Eye Catching Coral are some of the most popular choices among reef keepers, and it’s easy to see why. They add motion, personality, and a natural home for clownfish.
Things to Know About Bubble Tip Anemones:
- Once they’ve found a spot they like, leave them be. Constant movement or handling can damage their foot.
- If they keep wandering, it’s usually a sign that something’s off with light, flow, or water parameters. Adjust one thing at a time and give it a few days to respond.
- You can feed small pieces of shrimp, like mysis, but don’t overdo it. A healthy Bubble Tip will get much of what it needs from photosynthesis.
- Use guards on your pumps and powerheads to prevent them from getting pulled in if they decide to move around.
2) Pulsing Xenia
This one may be a surprise, but standard Pulsing Xenia is one of the most popular corals we offer from ECC. When you think about it, this soft coral is one of the most unique corals with its rhythmic pulsing motion.
Things to Know About Pulsing Xenia:
- Give them their own space. Xenia can spread quickly, so isolate them on a separate rock island if you don’t want them to take over.
- Good flow helps, but not too much. Too strong and they’ll stay closed, too little and detritus can build up around the colony.
- They can fade in ultra-clean systems and do better with a little nitrate and phosphate present.
- There are several different types of Xenia available too! Check out Red Xenia and True Blue Xenia.
3) Kenya Tree Leather
Kenya Tree Leathers are one of those corals that seem to thrive almost anywhere. Eye Catching Coral’s aquacultured colonies are hardy, adaptable, and ideal for reef keepers who want steady growth without much special care.
Things to Know About Kenya Tree Leathers:
- They may sulk for a few days after being moved or handled. Give them time to adjust before making changes.
- Kenya Trees naturally drop branches that can grow into new colonies. If you don’t want a forest, remove the frags before they attach elsewhere.
- Don’t be alarmed if they occasionally shrink or “shed” their outer layer. It’s a normal process that helps them stay clean and healthy.
4) Zoanthids
Zoanthids (aka zoas) are one of the most popular corals in the hobby, and for good reason. With countless color varieties and growth patterns, they make it easy to build a reef that stands out. Eye Catching Coral offers a wide range of aquacultured Zoas that are hardy, colorful, and perfect for both new and experienced reef keepers.
Things to Know About Zoanthids:
- Keep an eye on faster-growing varieties. Some Zoas can spread quickly and cover nearby rocks if left unchecked.
- Target feeding with coral food can improve color and growth, but they’ll also do fine just filtering nutrients from the water.
- Always handle Zoas with care. Some species can produce palytoxin, a naturally occurring toxin that can be harmful if it comes into contact with skin or eyes. Simple precautions go a long way toward keeping you safe.
5) Hammers
Few corals command attention like a thriving Hammer colony. Eye Catching Coral’s aquacultured Hammers adapt quickly and are relatively easy corals to care for. They may seem like slow growers to start, but once established, they can grow rapidly and form large, eye-catching colonies that become a focal point in any reef.
Things to Know About Hammers:
- Give them plenty of space. They can sting nearby corals if they’re placed too close.
- Branching varieties are generally easier to care for than wall types. They recover faster from fragging and tend to handle fluctuations in water parameters better.
- Watch out for signs of brown jelly, a bacterial infection that looks like a slimy brown coating or cloud around the coral’s tissue. It spreads quickly, so remove or frag affected heads right away to help keep it from spreading.
6) Frogspawn
Frogspawn corals are one of those classics that almost every reefer keeps at some point. They’ve got great movement, nice color, and a personality somewhere between a Hammer and a Torch.
Things to Know About Frogspawn:
- Frogspawn are a nice middle ground between Hammers and Torches. They have plenty of movement without being quite as aggressive as Torches.
- Even though they’re part of the Euphyllia family, they don’t always play nice with other species.
7) Montipora
Montipora are one of the best beginner-friendly SPS corals. Eye Catching Coral’s aquacultured Montipora frags are hardy, colorful, and well-adapted to aquarium environments, making them a great introduction to small-polyp stony corals.
Things to Know About Montipora:
- Montipora can be found in several growth patterns including plating, encrusting, or branching, depending on the variety.
- Plating varieties can shade corals below, so plan placement with future growth in mind.
- Montipora are fast growers once established, so regular trimming or fragging helps maintain shape and prevent overgrowth.
8) Chalice
Chalice corals come in a wide range of shapes, colors, and growth patterns, which makes them one of the more interesting groups of LPS corals to keep. Eye Catching Coral’s aquacultured Chalice frags are healthy, well-established, and ready to grow.
Things to Know About Chalice:
- Some, like Hollywood Stunners, can grow very quickly and may need regular trimming to prevent overgrowth.
- For most types of Chalice, growth tends to be slow, but steady.
- They are often aggressive and can extend long, powerful sweeper tentacles at night. Give them plenty of space to avoid stinging nearby corals.
- Feeding small amounts of fine coral food a few times a week helps maintain their vibrant coloration.
9) Favia
Favia corals have a classic look that fits into almost any reef tank. Their neat, honeycomb-like structure and wide range of colors make them a favorite for reef keepers who want something easy to grow that still stands out. They tend to hold their color well and stay happy once they’ve settled in.
Things to Know About Favia:
- Favia are generally hardy and forgiving, which makes them a great first LPS coral
- They can be aggressive toward nearby corals, especially at night, so leave space for their sweeper tentacles.
- Regular feeding with fine coral foods can bring out deeper coloration and faster growth.
- They grow by encrusting over nearby rockwork, so place them accordingly.
10) Cyphastrea
Cyphastrea are one of those corals that quietly become a favorite once you’ve had them for a while. They’re hardy, colorful, and seem to grow just about anywhere you put them. Their small, tightly packed polyps give them a unique look that really stands out once they start to spread across the rock.
Things to Know About Cyphastrea:
- Cyphastrea are one of the best beginner SPS corals because they handle a wide range of lighting and flow conditions.
- Growth starts slow, but once they settle in, they’ll encrust over rockwork surprisingly fast.
- Place them where you want them to stay. Once Cyphastrea starts spreading, it’s not easy to move without breaking off pieces.
Adam has been reef keeping since 2010 and got his start on the Bulk Reef Supply Customer Service team. He believes the best tanks are built around what you enjoy, not what’s trending. Adam is especially interested in simplifying the hobby, exploring the latest gear, and helping others focus on long-term success over chasing perfection.
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