Top Beginner Corals for Saltwater Reef Tanks
Getting into the saltwater aquarium hobby can feel a little intimidating at first, especially if your goal is to create a full-on reef tank. It’s normal to have a lot of questions in the beginning; we have all been there. Which corals are good to start with? Are some more difficult than others? Are there any that beginners should avoid altogether? The good news is that you’ve come to the right place. This guide highlights beginner friendly corals that are hardy, visually appealing, and adaptable as your tank and skills grow. These are solid choices you can feel confident about, and they’ll grow with you to fit into almost any future reef tank you choose to build.
Zoanthids
Zoanthids, or “zoas,” are one of the most common beginner corals. They bring bold pops of color to a reef without breaking the bank. Varieties like Rastas, Utter Chaos, and Hornets are bright, hardy, and relatively easy to grow. Just steer clear of the super expensive “collector” zoas when starting out, as many of those tend to be more sensitive to water parameter fluctuations that are common in new systems.
One word of caution: zoanthids can contain something called palytoxin. It is important to handle them with care, avoid direct contact with eyes, mouth, or open cuts. Always wash your hands after working with zoanthids, palythoa, or any coral for that matter.
Leather Corals
Soft corals like Nepthea and Sinularia are beginner classics. They are hardy, come in greens and purples, and provide great flow and movement in the tank. Green Nepthea, in particular, is a staple for many reefers thanks to its bright coloration and forgiving care requirements.
Toadstools are another easy choice. From standard green morphs to weeping willows, they are adaptable and straightforward to grow with minimal to no extra dosing if you stay consistent with weekly water changes.
Tip: Leather corals can stay closed up for a few days at a time and you may notice them shedding their outer tissue layer. This is normal and not cause for concern. It’s a good idea to run activated carbon in a media bag or reactor when keeping leather corals, since they can release chemicals that affect other corals in the tank. We often refer to this as chemical warfare.
Neon Green Toadstool Coral
Green Nephthea CoralMushroom Corals
Mushroom corals vary from the super invasive to the high-end collector varieties, but plenty of options make excellent beginner choices. Rodactis and Ricordea yuma are colorful, hardy, and forgiving. They do well with basic maintenance and will thrive with regular water changes. We usually recommend holding off on pricey “bounce” mushrooms until you have more experience.
Tip: The plain red, blue, or green Discosomas grow extremely quickly and can take over rockwork if left unchecked.
Beginner Friendly LPS Corals
LPS stands for Large Polyp Stony corals. They have a hard calcium-based skeleton like SPS (Small Polyp Stony) corals, but their fleshy polyps are much larger. Many LPS corals have flowing tentacles or inflated heads that give them a unique look and make them fun to observe. They are generally slower growing than soft corals, but they’re also more forgiving than most SPS, making them a great next step for beginners who want to add variety and movement to their reef.
Another reason hobbyists love LPS is that many of them will actively feed, extending their tentacles to grab pellets or frozen food. Watching them respond to feeding is not only fun, it can also help keep them healthy and growing.
Several LPS varieties stand out as excellent beginner choices:
- Duncan Coral: Hardy, fast-growing, and visually appealing with green or purple highlights. They readily accept pellet food and show a strong feeding response.
- Candy Cane Coral (Trumpet Coral): Bright, forgiving, and another great “canary coral” when water quality slips.
- Micromussa Lords and Blastomussa: Puffy, colorful, and fun to feed. These thrive in lower light and moderate flow, and come in a huge variety of color morphs. Aquacultured frags are best since they are already adapted to captivity.
Candy Cane (Trumpet) Coral
Micromussa lordhowensis CoralEasy SPS Options
SPS stands for Small Polyp Stony corals. These corals are often called "sticks" due to their branching growth patterns, but some varieties of SPS encrust over the rockwork or form plating structures. They typically prefer stable water parameters, stronger flow, and good lighting, which is why they often come with a reputation for being more challenging.
The good news is that not all SPS are difficult. A few hardy species can thrive in beginner systems with proper care and regular maintenance. Montipora and Bird’s Nest (Seriatopora) and Stylophora are great entry points. They grow quickly, come in a variety of colors and shapes, and can adapt well to tanks that receive regular water changes and stable conditions. Starting with these options lets you enjoy the beauty of SPS without taking on the full demands of more sensitive species.
- Montipora: Fast-growing and available in plating, branching, and encrusting varieties. They come in bold colors and are great for adding shape to your reef.
- Bird’s Nest (Seriatopora) and Stylophora: Branching corals with lots of color options. They grow quickly, are easy to frag, and tolerate a wide range of conditions compared to more delicate acropora.
Tip: If keeping corals with a skeletal structure, like LPS or SPS corals, you'll want to test for calcium and alkalinity levels and supplement as necessary to maintain healthy coral growth.
Learn More: Tips For Water Chemistry - What To Dose, How Much, and When
Start Your Reefing Journey with Confidence!
Building a reef tank is a marathon, not a sprint, and choosing the right corals at the start can make all the difference. By focusing on hardy, beginner friendly species, you’ll set yourself up for early success and gain the confidence to grow your reef over time. Whether you stick with softies, experiment with LPS, or branch out into SPS, these corals will give you a strong foundation and a tank you can be proud of. Take it slow, keep your maintenance consistent, and enjoy the process. Reefing is as much about learning and adapting as it is about the end result.
Getting your coral selection right is just the beginning. Consistent care is what keeps a reef thriving!
Learn More: 7 Days to Success: A Weekly Saltwater Aquarium Maintenance Checklist
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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