5 Hardy Corals for New Reef Keepers

Starting a reef aquarium is exciting, but choosing your first corals can feel overwhelming. The key to success is starting with hardy, forgiving species that can tolerate the learning curve every new reefer experiences. Here are five of the best beginner corals that look amazing and thrive with minimal fuss.

1. Zoanthids (Zoanthus sp.)

Zoanthids, often called "zoas," are the perfect gateway coral. These colonial polyps come in an incredible variety of colors and patterns, from neon greens and oranges to rare designer morphs with creative names.

Why They're Great for Beginners

• Tolerate a wide range of lighting from low to moderate-high
• Adapt to various flow conditions
• Reproduce readily, giving you more corals over time
• Available at every price point from common to collector

Care Tips

Place zoanthids in low to moderate light initially and adjust based on their response. They prefer moderate flow but avoid direct powerhead blast. Watch for zoanthid-eating nudibranchs and dip all new additions with coral dip.

2. Mushroom Corals (Discosoma, Rhodactis, Ricordea)

Mushroom corals are practically bulletproof. These soft corals come in blues, reds, greens, and stunning multicolor varieties like bounce mushrooms.

Why They're Great for Beginners

• Thrive in low to moderate light conditions
• Extremely tolerant of water parameter fluctuations
• Reproduce by splitting, spreading across rockwork
• Require virtually no direct feeding

Care Tips

Mushrooms prefer lower light and gentle flow. Place them on rubble or lower rockwork away from aggressive corals. Ricordea are slightly more demanding but still beginner-appropriate.

3. Kenya Tree Coral (Capnella sp.)

The Kenya Tree is a soft coral that grows like a weed in the best possible way. Its tree-like branching structure adds vertical interest to your reef.

Why It's Great for Beginners

• Nearly impossible to kill under normal conditions
• Drops branches that root and grow into new colonies
• Grows quickly, providing that "established tank" look fast
• Very affordable and widely available

Care Tips

Place in moderate light and flow. Kenya trees may occasionally close up for a day or two—this is normal. The dropped branches can be fragged or removed if growth becomes excessive.

4. Green Star Polyps (GSP) - Pachyclavularia sp.

Green Star Polyps create a stunning carpet of fluorescent green across your rockwork. Under blue lights, they glow brilliantly.

Why They're Great for Beginners

• Extremely hardy and fast-growing
• Creates dramatic visual impact quickly
• Thrives under various lighting conditions
• One of the most forgiving corals in the hobby

Care Tips

GSP grows on a purple mat that encrusts surfaces rapidly. Consider placing on an isolated rock or island to contain spread. Moderate light and flow work best. They may stay closed for days when first added—be patient.

5. Leather Corals (Sinularia, Sarcophyton)

Leather corals are soft corals that come in various forms, from toadstool leathers with their distinctive cap shape to finger leathers with branching digits.

Why They're Great for Beginners

• Highly adaptable to different tank conditions
• Can grow quite large, becoming showpiece corals
• Shed a waxy coating periodically, which is normal and healthy
• Available in various sizes and price points

Care Tips

Provide moderate light and flow. During shedding periods, the coral may look unhappy for a few days—this is normal. Good water quality and carbon filtration help remove compounds they release.

Setting Up for Success

Before adding any corals, ensure your tank has completed its nitrogen cycle and parameters are stable. Use the ReefBay app to track your water parameters and get personalized recommendations for your setup.

Ideal Parameters for Beginner Corals

• Salinity: 1.025-1.026 specific gravity
• Temperature: 76-80°F (24-27°C)
• pH: 8.0-8.4
• Alkalinity: 8-11 dKH
• Calcium: 400-450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1250-1350 ppm

Where to Buy

Browse our ReefBay shop for coral listings from trusted sellers. Always ask about coral origin, quarantine procedures, and acclimation recommendations.

Final Thoughts

These five corals have proven themselves countless times as excellent starter species. They'll teach you the basics of coral care while providing beautiful color and movement in your tank. As your skills develop, you can gradually move on to more demanding LPS and SPS species. Start with these hardy favorites, maintain stable water quality, and you'll be rewarded with a thriving reef.