Top 5 SPS Corals for Beginners
- Jun 05, 2022
- Anshika Mishra
- 241 0 0
Did you know that there are over six thousand coral species worldwide? Those corals fall into two categories. They are either hard corals or soft corals.
The main difference is that hard corals have a calcium carbonate skeleton, and those are broken down into two more categories:
- LPS (Large-Polyp Stony Coral)
- SPS (Small-Polyps Stony Corals)
We've heard from beginner hobbyists that they are too nervous to try SPS coral because these corals require a more mature system and stable water parameters.
We show you that there is nothing to be scared of. So, here are the top 5 SPS coral for beginners:
5. Valida Acropora
These species of Acropora grow in a tree-like pattern with thin branches and well-space corallites. In the wild, they are found from the surface down to over 30-feet deep.
They are fast growers with superb coloration. They can tolerate some fluctuation in the water chemistry. But, in a reef mix, they still require good flow and quality lightning.
4. The Green Slimer
The Bali green Slimer has been in the aquarium hobby for over 20 years. This Acropora has a bright green color, and it proliferates in a stag-horn pattern with long branches.
It is one of the most dominant SPS coral growing is dense and thickest in the wild, almost making its own SPS forest.
These corals can be found near the surface or as far down as 65-feet deep. The green slime gets its name from the slime it releases after being out of the water during a water change or from stress such as fragging.
Unlike the other corals on the beginner SPS list, this one comes in two color variants, green and blue. The green slime enjoys good flow and moderates to high lighting, and it should be placed near the top of a mixed reef tank.
3. Montipora Digitata
This SPS coral is easily distinguished by its thicker branches and short fussy polyps. Additionally, a wide variety of colors is available in a crafted version.
Once established, the colony's structure will be affected by flow and placement. However, it is a relatively peaceful coral and will increase if given the right conditions.
Medium lighting and medium flow are all it needs. However, it will adapt to higher lighting and flow, giving it more options for placement in the reef tank.
2. Bird's Nest
This coral can be found in the wild from Africa throughout the Indo-pacific, and it can be found at the surface down to a 115-feet.
Bird's nests have the wildest and largest distribution of any coral on this list. It gets its name from layers of intertwined branches. It requires medium flow, and contrary to what you may have heard about the SPS corals, Bird's nest doesn't require high lighting.
1. Stylophora And Pocillopora
They are native to the red sea in the indo-pacific region and are found from the surface to 65-feet deep. Like Bird's Nests, they don't require very high lighting and can do well in moderate flow. You should see a lot of polyp extensions, and these corals come in a variety of corals.
They are very peaceful but keep in mind that you'd want to give them plenty of space to grow compared to their slower-growing neighbors.
They are also known to spawn in a fully-mature home aquarium, where they will settle in previously uncolonized areas of another reef.
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