A primary reef-building coral, the Staghorn Coral holds the most important job in the Western Atlantic reefs! Although the Acropora genus has close to 400 nominal species, only three are found in the Atlantic Ocean. The Staghorn Coral Acropora cervicornis is one of these. They are dominant, of the two species of Caribbean […]
The Large Polyp Stony (SPS) corals have large polyps on a calcerous skeleton! Hard corals are generally broken down into two categories; large polyp stony (LPS) corals and small polyp stony (SPS) corals. The LPS corals are generally larger calcareous corals. They have much larger fleshy polyps than those of the small polyp stony […]
The Soft Corals are the softer, more flexible animals that provide an attractive visual compliment to reef landscapes all around the world! Soft corals are some of the most attractive corals found in the world’s oceans. They are quite fascinating, taking many exotic forms and often have a very rich and colorful palette. Soft […]
The colorful Scroll Coral is one of the most unique Tubinaria species, and is also one of the hardier ones! The Scrolling Tubinaria Coral Turbinaria reniformis is one of the most recognized of the Turbinaria genus. In mature specimens, their scroll-like or whorled shape can be either vertical or more horizontal, depending on the depth […]
The Pineapple Coral has wonderful natural colors, and even more stunning colors in captive bred specimens! The beautiful Pineapple Coral Blastomussa merleti is one of the two highly favored Blastomussa corals. The other is its even more colorful cousin the Blasto Coral Blastomussa wellsi. Yet of the two, the B. merleti is considered […]
The Plating Montipora Coral, is great looking and easy to care, but it can get big! The Plating Montipora Coral Montipora peltiformis is an attractive plate Montipora. It typically grows in colonies of thin plates or scrolling shapes, while attaching an encrusting base on rock. Rather than forming upright branches it has upright […]
The Open Brain Coral has brightly colored polyps with fluorescent properties, it will simply glow under actinic lighting! The Open Brain Coral Trachyphyllia geoffroyi is attractive, and unique. These corals are most often found as a free living, solitary individual living along a reef base on muddy or sandy bottoms, or in seagrass beds. They […]
Despite confusion with the Pacific Rose Coral’s scientific name, we all know that “a rose by any other name… is still a rose”! The striking Pacific Rose Coral Trachyphyllia radiata is a gorgeous large polyp stony (LPS) coral. Their polyps are large fleshy mantles, and they come in varying shades of brilliant metallic […]
Montipora Plate Coral will grow quite large, and give you ample opportunity to frag as well! The Montipora Plate Coral Montipora capricornus is also known as the Whorl Bowl Coral. This is a very attractive small polyp stony (SPS) coral, and a favorite of reef aquarists. In its natural colors it can be […]
A beautiful Mushroom Coral is often the first addition to a new reef aquarium because they are some of the easiest reef animals to keep! Mushroom Corals are some of the most colorful and decorative reef tank inhabitants. They can be from about 1 inch to 1 foot in diameter, depending upon the […]