Top Five Beginner Small Polyp Stony (SPS) Corals
Small Polyp Stony (SPS) corals are known for their intricate structures and stunning colors. While SPS corals generally require stable water parameters and higher lighting and flow conditions, some are more forgiving and suitable for beginners. Here are the top five beginner-friendly SPS corals.
1. Montipora (Montipora spp.)
Why It’s Great: Hardy, fast-growing, and available in plating, branching, and encrusting forms.
Lighting & Flow: Moderate to high lighting; moderate to high water flow.
Feeding: Primarily photosynthetic but benefits from occasional coral foods.
Care Level: Moderate – tolerates minor fluctuations in water parameters better than most SPS corals.
2. Bird’s Nest Coral (Seriatopora hystrix)
Why It’s Great: Fast-growing, branching coral that develops beautiful thin branches.
Lighting & Flow: Moderate to high lighting; high water flow preferred.
Feeding: Photosynthetic, can absorb dissolved nutrients.
Care Level: Moderate – responds well to stable conditions but is more resilient than Acropora.
3. Pocillopora (Pocillopora spp.)
Why It’s Great: Hardy SPS that adapts to a variety of conditions and grows rapidly.
Lighting & Flow: Moderate to high lighting; moderate to high water flow.
Feeding: Photosynthetic; can benefit from targeted coral foods.
Care Level: Moderate – can handle fluctuations better than many other SPS species.
4. Stylophora (Stylophora spp.)
Why It’s Great: Thick-branching coral with vibrant colors that is relatively hardy.
Lighting & Flow: Moderate to high lighting; moderate to high water flow.
Feeding: Primarily photosynthetic but benefits from amino acid and planktonic food supplements.
Care Level: Moderate – adaptable and a great transition coral for new SPS keepers.
5. Cyphastrea (Cyphastrea spp.)
Why It’s Great: One of the easiest encrusting SPS corals to keep, tolerating lower light and moderate flow.
Lighting & Flow: Low to moderate lighting; moderate water flow.
Feeding: Benefits from additional feeding but primarily photosynthetic.
Care Level: Easy to moderate – ideal for beginners looking to try SPS corals.
Final Thoughts
While SPS corals can be more demanding than soft corals or LPS corals, these five species offer a great starting point for reef keepers looking to expand into SPS care. With stable water parameters, strong lighting, and proper flow, these beginner-friendly SPS corals can thrive and bring stunning color and structure to a reef aquarium.
