Coral Species Guide

148 species across 32 families. WoRMS-validated taxonomy with care parameters from multiple sources.

LPS vs SPS vs Soft Coral — Full Breakdown Table
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16 species matching filters

All coral species

Pectinia LPS

Pectinia

Pectinia

Merulinidae
moderate Med Low

Chalice-like plating LPS with spiny edges. Low light lover, vivid colour morphs.

Hydnophora LPS

Hydnophora

Horn Coral

Merulinidae
moderate Med Med

Distinctive raised "horns" (hydnophores). Extremely aggressive — give wide berth.

Cyphastrea sp. SPS

Cyphastrea sp.

Meteor Shower

Merulinidae
easy Low-Med Med

Low-light SPS that encrusts then branches. Great for shaded spots.

Cyphastrea decadia SPS

Cyphastrea decadia

Branching Cyphastrea

Merulinidae
easy Low-Med Med

Low-light SPS that encrusts then branches. Great for shaded mid-tank spots.

Catalaphyllia jardinei LPS

Catalaphyllia jardinei

Elegance Coral

Merulinidae
moderate High Med

Stunning flowing tentacles. Place on sand. Prone to Elegance Coral Syndrome.

Caulastraea echinulata LPS

Caulastraea echinulata

Trumpet Coral

Merulinidae
easy Med Med

Trumpet-shaped variant of candy cane. Slightly spiny skeleton, same easy care.

Caulastraea furcata LPS

Caulastraea furcata

Candy Cane

Merulinidae
easy High Low-Med

Branching LPS with round polyp heads. Excellent beginner LPS — easy to frag.

Mycedium elephantotus LPS

Mycedium elephantotus

Peacock-Eye

Merulinidae
moderate Med Low-Med

Plating chalice with raised corallite "eyes". Grows in overlapping plates.

Echinopora lamellosa LPS

Echinopora lamellosa

Hollywood Stunner

Merulinidae
easy High High

Fast-growing chalice relative. "Hollywood Stunner" has neon green eyes on orange.

Platygyra daedalea LPS

Platygyra daedalea

Maze Brain

Merulinidae
moderate Med-Hi Med

Complex maze pattern. One of the hardiest brain corals — wide tolerance.

Platygyra lamellina LPS

Platygyra lamellina

Worm Brain

Merulinidae
moderate Low-Med Low-Med

Meandering worm-like valleys. Feeds readily at night when tentacles extend.

Goniastrea edwardsi LPS

Goniastrea edwardsi

Maze Brain

Merulinidae
moderate Med Med

Shared-wall brain coral with maze-like pattern. Very hardy reef builder.

LPS

Dipsastraea pallida

Favia Brain

Merulinidae
moderate Med Med

Formerly Favia pallida. Encrusting brain with separate round corallites.

LPS

Favites pentagona

War Coral

Merulinidae
moderate Low-Med Med

Pentagon-shaped corallites. Named for extremely potent sweepers at night.

LPS

Trachyphyllia

Open Brain

Merulinidae
moderate Low-Med Med

Generic open brain. Must sit on sand bed — skeleton edges tear flesh on rock.

LPS

Trachyphyllia geoffroyi

Open Brain

Merulinidae
moderate Med Med

Fleshy free-living brain. Place on sand — never on rock. Feed meaty foods 2x/week.