The 10 Best First Corals for a Reef Tank

The 10 Best First Corals for a Reef Tank (Beginner-Friendly Options That Thrive)

Starting a reef tank is one of the most exciting parts of the hobby. The colors, movement, and personality that corals bring to an aquarium completely transform it from a simple saltwater tank into a living ecosystem. But choosing your first corals can feel overwhelming—especially when so many species require stable parameters, high light, or specialized care.

The good news? There are plenty of hardy, forgiving, beautiful corals that thrive in new reef systems. These corals tolerate small mistakes, adapt easily to different tank setups, and grow well in a wide range of lighting and flow conditions.

Here are the top 10 best first corals for new reefers and why they make excellent starter choices.

1. Zoanthids (Zoas)

If there were a “perfect beginner coral,” Zoanthids would be it. They come in endless color morphs—neons, speckles, rings, stripes—each one adding personality to your tank. Zoas thrive under a variety of lighting conditions and grow by spreading mats across rock.

Why they’re beginner-friendly:

  • Extremely hardy
  • Fast-growing
  • Tolerate low to high light
  • No special feeding needed

Extra tip: Start with easier morphs like Eagle Eyes, Radioactive Dragon Eyes, Rastas, or Armor of Gods.

2. Green Star Polyp (GSP)

GSP is famous for being nearly indestructible—but also famous for spreading rapidly. Its waving neon-green polyps create a beautiful grassy effect that adds movement to the tank.

Why they’re beginner-friendly:

  • Survives almost anything
  • Beautiful flowing motion
  • Great for filling empty space

Extra tip: Isolate it on a rock island to prevent it from overrunning your aquascape.

3. Xenia (Pulsing Xenia)

Few corals capture attention like Pulsing Xenia. Its polyps move rhythmically on their own, “pulsing” without relying on water flow. It gives the tank a hypnotic, natural feel.

Why they’re beginner-friendly:

  • Grows well in low light
  • Unique pulsing motion
  • Very tolerant of parameter swings

Extra tip: Like GSP, Xenia spreads quickly—dedicate a controlled area for it.

4. Leather Corals (Toadstool, Finger, Devil’s Hand)

Leather corals are highly adaptable and thrive even in new tanks. The Toadstool leather, in particular, is a classic beginner coral that grows into a striking mushroom shape with long waving polyps.

Why they’re beginner-friendly:

  • Hardy and forgiving
  • Excellent for beginners transitioning toward LPS and SPS
  • Highly resilient to pests and algae

Extra tip: They sometimes close up for a week to “shed”—totally normal.

5. Kenya Tree Coral

Kenya Trees are soft corals that sway gracefully in moderate flow and propagate naturally by dropping small branches. They're great for filling the mid-section of your rockwork.

Why they’re beginner-friendly:

  • Excellent tolerance for imperfect conditions
  • Soft, flowing movement
  • Self-propagating (you’ll have frags before you know it)

Extra tip: They can spread, so place them where you’re OK with growth.

6. Mushrooms (Discosoma, Rhodactis, Ricordea)

Mushroom corals are incredibly hardy and come in a wide range of textures and colors. From metallic greens to bright orange Ricordeas, mushrooms bring bold color with minimal care.

Why they’re beginner-friendly:

  • Thrive in low to moderate light
  • Very tough and adaptable
  • Multiply naturally

Extra tip: Rhodactis and Florida Ricordea are slightly more demanding than standard Discosomas but still very beginner-friendly.

7. Duncan Coral

Duncans are LPS corals, but they’re among the easiest LPS species to care for. Their long waving tentacles give them a peaceful, elegant motion. They also accept food readily, making them ideal for beginners wanting an interactive coral.

Why they’re beginner-friendly:

  • Hardy LPS coral with stable growth
  • Low to moderate light
  • Respond well to feeding

Extra tip: Target-feeding once a week speeds up polyp budding.

8. Candy Cane (Caulastrea)

Candy Cane corals form round, trumpet-shaped heads with fluorescent colors that pop beautifully under blue light. They are slow, predictable growers and tolerate a wide range of tank conditions.

Why they’re beginner-friendly:

  • Great entry-level LPS
  • Doesn’t require strong flow
  • Visible feeding tentacles at night

Extra tip: They prefer lower flow—strong currents may cause tissue recession.

9. Hammer Coral (Euphyllia Ancora)

Hammers are more sensitive than soft corals but still forgiving enough for new reefers. Their iconic hammer-shaped tentacles sway beautifully in the water, adding movement and color.

Why they’re beginner-friendly:

  • Hardy as far as LPS goes
  • Great movement and color
  • Moderate light and flow

Extra tip: Keep space around them—Euphyllia have sweeper tentacles.

**10. Montipora (Plating or Encrusting) – The Easiest First SPS

While most SPS are too demanding for beginners, Montipora is the exception. Once your tank is stable, Montipora adds structure and vibrant pigmentation without the difficulty of Acropora.

Why they’re beginner-friendly (as SPS):

  • Fast growing
  • Tolerant of medium-range parameters
  • Comes in plating, branching, and encrusting forms

Extra tip: Start with orange, green, or purple caps—usually the hardiest.

Final Thoughts: Start Simple, Grow Over Time

Every successful reef tank begins with stable water parameters and hardy corals. These 10 species give beginners the best chance at success while still offering color, movement, and rewarding growth.

If you're building your first reef, choose a mix of:

  • Soft corals for ease
  • A couple LPS for color and movement
  • Montipora later on as your system matures
Back to blog