Which corals are good for beginners?

It's probably the biggest question asked by someone starting their first reef tank: which corals are good for beginners.  Fortunately there are several species that are hardy, easy to care for, and also quite affordable. They can survive most beginner's mistakes and provide an incredible amount of beauty for minimal effort. This article lists several species that are as close to "bullet proof" corals as one can get.

The three best corals for beginners

Below are listed three very hardy corals, some information about their care, feeding, and behavior.

There are other corals that are relatively easy to care for, but really none so easy as these three.

They are listed by the names they are most commonly called by.

Mushrooms

These are soft corals known as corallimorphs and most commonly called mushrooms. For the most part it is difficult to see why they are called this because normally they don't resemble their namesakes.  However, as they move or stretch to get closer to the light, or around an object, they extend on a stalk that remains attached.  It's then they really look like a mushroom.

You will find a few types of mushrooms for sale

• Mushrooms:  This is the common type and is generally sold simply as mushrooms. They are called discosoma but it is likely that the shop keeper won't know them by this name. These are very affordable and extremely hardy. This is the species we really want to discuss and will go into more later.  It's important to mention the other types because the beginner will see them for sale and we need to be able to tell them apart.
• Ricordia (sometimes ricordea, and reicordea florida): found in the Caribbean. This is notably different because of the several bumps all over the surface. These are most typically green but are often found in orange and pink. They are not for beginners however because they require more intense lighting and require feeding.
• Fuzzy Mushroom (sometimes hairy mushrooms, and rhodactis): This is a very attractive species with several color morphs and is a close second for the beginner.  The one thing that keeps it out of the running is that it reproduces so quickly that it can overrun a tank and also drive out other types of corals.
• Elephant Ear (not for beginners): So called because it grows very large, 8 to 18 inches across to be exact. Though it will seldom get that large in your tank, it will grow large enough to be a hazard to smaller fish, which it will envelop like a Venus flytrap and digest. This is not for beginners because it requires much space, feeding, and is known to eat crustaceans or small fish. Because of it's special size, and the chance it will eat things in your tank, this is not considered a beginner's mushroom.

Mushroom care

Just about nothing! Which is exactly why this coral makes the top of the list. Mushroom corals like low lightly, can be placed low in the tank, even on the substrate if necessary, and, while they can be fed, get their food from zooxanthellae. They tend not to be very aggressive and have been known to grown right up next to other corals without much of a problem other than overlap. Also, the price is right. For example, a good sized rock with several large mushrooms growing on it can be as affordable as $28 - $36. For what you get, and compared to other species, that's a steal. They do reproduce in the tank but not so quickly as to become a nuisance.

Tip: if the light is too bright they tend to fade in color.  Several colors are available, mostly green but brown, red, and even striped.

Button Polyps

The button polyps I have in my tank were hitchhikers on a bit of live rock I purchased.  There were three of them and now at least 50 of various sizes.  It has taken some time to get to that number so you don't have to worry about them over growing. They do OK in moderate light and don't need to be fed.  They really look after themselves and are quite hardy.  For some the color may seem drab, but upon close inspection you will find there is a wonderful gradient of color on the heads. 

One of the fun things about this coral is watching their many tentacled head close up when disturbed and watch it reopen again soon after.  They can survive in a tank with lower light and moderate water quality.  In a well maintained environment they will grow and thrive.

These are also among the more affordable corals out there.

Pulsing Xenia

This particular species of Xenia is very fast growing and spectacular to observe. The name comes from the fact that the heads of each colonial polyp open and close quickly and rhythmical. These corals pretty much take care of themselves which is why they make the list.  They like brighter light and will be at home toward the top of the tank.  They can be fed, but don't require it.

However, there are a few things the beginner should know.

• Xenia will grow like a weed! They just grow and grow. It gets to the point where some must be removed.  These can be given to friends or disposed of. 
• They move.  As Xenia grow, they move about the tank and will occupy the space they find the best.  Often moving up to higher ground to obtain more light. They make great shade trees under which to plant low light corals but can also intertwine themselves with other species.  Depending on how you like your tank, this may be OK.  I like to have my species in neat groups so having Xenia pop up in the middle of my mushrooms gets it removed.
• They are not aggressive and will usually loose a battle with a more aggressive coral. Not always though, gonoporia tend to become irritated.

Clown fish will use Xenia as a host! Of course, it does not provide the protection to them that a real anemone does, but they do find it a comforting place to hide.  While you will always reed that clownfish don't need an anemone, they are less stressed when they have one.  However, keeping an anemone can bee tough, and is more for the advanced aquarist with more time to devote to water changes.  So, Xenia gives you a host, without the hassle.

What about zoanthus?

While an excellent and hardy coral there are two things that keep if from making the list.

• Slightly more expensive than the above
• Slightly more picky about water quality, lighting and tank placement.

Zoanthus should be the next coral you buy after you've gotten your feet wet with the above three.  It comes in many color morphs, some that dazzle the eye, and doesn't cost too much from your LFS.

Conclusion

There you have it!  Three corals for the beginner which are affordable and will grow happily in your tank.  There are other corals you could try, but the success rate with these will be higher.  Money is also a factor.  No one wants to experiment with a $60 coral that might just die.  Practice your skills with these, then move up to something more difficult. 

Information contributed by: Chad