Best Soft Corals For Beginners

Setting up a reef tank can feel overwhelming for beginners, but soft corals make it an approachable and rewarding hobby.

I remember my first tank and the excitement of adding my first Green Eye Zoanthid. Just one coral frag brightened up the tank and got me addicted to collecting coral.

In this article I will dive into all the soft corals for beginners, covering their care requirements, tank setups, and compatibility.

Understanding Soft Corals

Soft corals are the best coral for beginners in saltwater aquariums. They offer vibrant colors and dynamic movement without the rigid care demands of hard corals. 

Their adaptability to various water conditions and moderate lighting makes them an excellent choice for any skill of aquarist.

What Are Soft Corals?

Soft corals are a unique type of coral that lack the rigid calcium carbonate skeleton typical of hard corals. Instead, they rely on flexible structures supported by spicules, small needle-like formations made of calcium.

Their flexibility allows them to sway with water currents, creating dynamic movement in a reef tank.

Soft corals are non-reef-building species, unlike hard corals, which build large, stony reefs. They belong to the subclass Octocorallia, which includes corals with eight tentacles on each polyp.

Soft corals are naturally found in various oceanic environments, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. They thrive in shallower waters and deeper areas with low light levels. Their adaptable nature allows them to colonize rocky outcrops, sandy seabeds, and even areas with stronger currents.

Soft corals play essential roles. 

They provide shelter for small fish, invertebrates, and microorganisms. They contribute to nutrient cycling by filtering organic particles from the water. While they may not form the massive reef structures associated with hard corals, their colorful, flowing forms add significant biodiversity and beauty to underwater habitats.

Why Are Soft Corals for Beginners?

Soft corals are ideal for beginners due to their hardiness and adaptability. Unlike hard corals, they tolerate all types of water conditions, making them very forgiving.

These corals thrive with minimal intervention. They don’t require precise calcium dosing or high-tech filtration systems. Routine water changes and stable parameters like temperature and salinity are often sufficient to keep them healthy.

Another advantage is their ability to flourish under moderate lighting. While hard corals may demand high-intensity LED or metal halide lights, soft corals can thrive under affordable T5 fluorescent lights or low-output LEDs, reducing the cost of setups for beginners.

Water flow is another area where soft corals are flexible. They adapt to different flow levels, from gentle currents to more turbulent conditions. Providing moderate flow ensures nutrient delivery and waste removal.

Soft corals grow relatively quickly and propagate easily, allowing beginners to experiment with fragging. This is the process of cutting your coral into smaller pieces and letting them grow into new colonies. This encourages tank customization and reduces the cost of purchasing new corals.

Their vibrant colors and diverse forms, from waving tentacles to tree like structures, make soft corals visually stunning additions to any tank.

Popular Soft Coral Species for Beginners

Here are some of the most popular and beginner corals to add to your reef tank.

These species are hardy, visually appealing, and easy to care for.

Zoanthids (Zoas)

• Appearance: Small, button-like polyps in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
• Care Requirements:
  • Moderate lighting.
  • Low to medium water flow.
• Growth Rate: Fast, making them ideal for fragging.
• Special Features: Known as “button polyps” or “zoas,” they can cover rocks and create colorful carpets.

Green Star Polyps (GSP)

• Appearance: Bright green, grass-like polyps on a purple mat.
• Care Requirements:
  • Low to moderate lighting.
  • Medium to high water flow.
• Growth Rate: Rapid; can easily spread across surfaces.
• Special Features: Extremely hardy and perfect for beginners. Use caution when placing as they can overgrow other corals.

Ricordea Mushroom Coral

Appearance: Dome-shaped coral with a textured, bubble-like surface in vibrant colors like orange, green, and blue.

• Care Requirements:
  • Low to moderate lighting.
  • Low to moderate water flow.
• Growth Rate: Moderate.
• Special Features: Striking color patterns and easy to propagate, making them a favorite for beginners.

Kenya Tree Coral

• Appearance: Tree-like structure with branches that sway in currents.
• Care Requirements:
  • Low lighting.
  • Moderate water flow.
• Growth Rate: Moderate; will shed periodically to regenerate.
• Special Features: Tolerant of fluctuations in water conditions and an excellent starter coral.

Toadstool Leather Coral

• Appearance: Mushroom-like cap with tentacle-like polyps extending from the surface.
• Care Requirements:
  • Moderate to high lighting.
  • Low to medium water flow.
• Growth Rate: Moderate to slow.
• Special Features: Provides excellent visual contrast and serves as a centerpiece coral.

Xenia Coral

• Appearance: Pulsing, feathery polyps that create rhythmic motion.
• Care Requirements:
  • Moderate lighting.
  • Low to moderate water flow.
• Growth Rate: Very fast; can overtake tanks if not controlled.
• Special Features: Their unique pulsing movement is mesmerizing for aquarists.

Stylophora Coral

• Appearance: Compact, bushy, and tree-like structure with thick, fused branches. Often comes in vibrant colors like pink, green, and yellow.

• Care Requirements:
  • Moderate to high lighting.
  • Prefers moderate to strong flow.
• Growth Rate: Moderate.
• Special Features: It is highly resilient and known for its ability to adapt to a variety of conditions. Its vibrant colors and unique branching structure create a striking visual impact.

Compare The Best Beginner Corals

Species	Lighting	Water Flow	Growth Rate	Special Features
Zoanthids (Zoas)	Moderate	Low to Medium	Fast	Wide color variety; ideal for fragging
Green Star Polyps (GSP)	Low to Moderate	Medium to High	Rapid	Hardy and spreads quickly; avoid overgrowth
Ricordea Mushroom Coral	Low to Moderate	Low to Moderate	Moderate	Striking color patterns; easy to propagate
Kenya Tree Coral	Low	Moderate	Moderate	Tolerant of water fluctuations
Toadstool Leather Coral	Moderate to High	Low to Medium	Moderate to Slow	Great centerpiece coral
Xenia Coral	Moderate	Low to Moderate	Very Fast	Unique pulsing movement
Colt Coral	Low to Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Hardy and adaptable

Reef Tank Requirements for Soft Corals

Tank Size

Soft corals are ideal in small and large tanks, but beginners should start with a tank size of at least 50 gallons.

Larger tanks offer more stable water parameters, reducing the risk of sudden changes that can stress corals.

A nano reef setup can work for experienced aquarists, but soft corals thrive best in a medium-sized environment.

Water Quality

Maintaining stable water quality is crucial for soft corals. Key parameters include:

• Salinity: 1.023 – 1.026
• Temperature: 76 – 80°F
• pH: 8.1 – 8.4
• Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH
• Calcium: 400–450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
• Nitrates (NO3): <10 ppm
• Phosphates (PO4): 0 ppm
• Ammonia (NH3) and Nitrites (NO2): 0 ppm

Regular testing is essential to avoid fluctuations. Invest in a reliable refractometer, thermometer, and parameters test kits for consistent monitoring.

Moderate Lighting

Soft corals require moderate lighting, making them perfect for aquariums with LED or T5 fluorescent lights.

They do not demand the high-intensity lighting needed by hard corals, reducing equipment costs for beginners.

Aim for 10–12 hours of light per day to simulate natural conditions.

Low To Moderate Flow

Moderate water flow is necessary to help soft corals remove waste and capture nutrients. Use adjustable powerheads to create a gentle current without overwhelming the coral. Avoid strong directional flow, as it can damage delicate polyps.

Placement and Compatibility

Placement

Place soft corals in areas with moderate water flow to promote nutrient exchange without damaging delicate polyps. Avoid direct exposure to powerhead streams.

Use rock structures to create varying light levels. Place light loving species like Zoanthids higher in the tank, while low-light species such as Kenya Tree Coral can thrive lower.

Avoiding Overcrowding

Overcrowding soft corals can lead to aggression and hinder growth. Many soft corals release chemical defenses (allelopathy) that inhibit the growth of neighboring species.

Leave at least 3–4 inches of space between corals to prevent competition. Regularly monitor their spread, as fast-growing species like Green Star Polyps can overtake other corals.

Compatibility

Soft corals are compatible with most reef safe fish and invertebrates. Good options include clownfish, gobies, and shrimp.

Avoid coral-eating species like butterflyfish or crabs prone to nipping polyps. Keep an eye on herbivores like tangs or snails to ensure they don’t disturb corals while grazing.

Strategic placement and thoughtful tankmates create a harmonious environment where soft corals can thrive without conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions 

 Can I put coral in a new tank?

It’s not recommended to add coral to a new tank immediately. Allow the tank to cycle fully to establish stable water parameters.

Steps before adding coral:

1. Cycle Completion: Ensure ammonia and nitrites are at 0 ppm.
2. Water Stability: Salinity, pH, and temperature must stabilize.
3. Mature Tank: Wait 4–6 weeks or longer after cycling.

Introduce hardy corals first, like Zoanthids or Green Star Polyps, once parameters stabilize. Regular testing is essential before adding coral.

What is the easiest coral to keep alive?

Beginner friendly corals are hardy and low maintenance:

1. Zoanthids (Zoas): Colorful and fast-growing.
2. Green Star Polyps (GSP): Tolerant and resilient.
3. Kenya Tree Coral: Thrives in low-light, low-flow.
4. Toadstool Leather Coral: Easy to care for and adaptable.

These corals tolerate fluctuations and thrive in basic reef setups, making them perfect for beginners.

How fast do soft corals grow?

Soft corals can grow quickly under the right conditions, with some species doubling in size in a few months.

Do soft corals need special lighting?

Most soft corals thrive under moderate lighting, making them suitable for standard reef aquarium setups.

Are soft corals safe with fish?

Yes, soft corals are generally safe with most reef compatible fish species.