Category: Coral Species Spotlight

Top 10 Corals for Beginner Reefkeepers

8/8/2023

Embarking on the captivating journey of reefkeeping is an exciting endeavor, and choosing the right corals can greatly influence the success and enjoyment of your marine aquarium. For beginners, selecting corals that are resilient, easy to care for, and visually striking is essential. In this guide, we present the "Top 10 Corals for Beginners," each with its own unique charm, care requirements, and compatibility considerations.

1. Zoanthids (Zoas):

Characteristics: Vibrant and colorful polyps that form dense clusters.
Care Requirements: Moderate light, low to moderate water flow, stable water parameters.
Compatibility: Zoas are generally peaceful and can thrive alongside other beginner-friendly corals.

Buy Zoa Corals: [ CLICK HERE ]

2. Mushroom Corals:

Characteristics: Soft and disc-shaped with stunning colors and textures.
Care Requirements: Low to moderate light, low water flow, stable water conditions.
Compatibility: Mushrooms are non-aggressive and can coexist with other corals.

Buy Mushroom Corals: [ CLICK HERE ]

3. Green Star Polyps (GSP):

Characteristics: Fast-growing, branching polyps with a vibrant green color.
Care Requirements: Low to moderate light, low water flow, stable water parameters.
Compatibility: GSP can spread quickly, so provide ample space and manage growth.

Buy GSP Star Polyp Corals: [ CLICK HERE ]

4. Trumpet Coral:

Characteristics: Fleshy polyps resembling candy canes or trumpets, available in various colors.
Care Requirements: Moderate light, moderate water flow, stable water chemistry.
Compatibility: Place with ample space between colonies to avoid stinging interactions.

Buy Trumpet Corals: [ CLICK HERE ]

5. Pulsing Xenia:

Characteristics: Rapidly pulsating polyps with a mesmerizing effect.
Care Requirements: Low to moderate light, low to moderate water flow, stable conditions.
Compatibility: Keep an eye on its growth, as it can spread quickly.

Buy Pulsing Xenia Corals: [ CLICK HERE ]

6. Hammer Coral:

Characteristics: Sweeping tentacles resembling hammers or anchors.
Care Requirements: Moderate light, moderate water flow, stable water parameters.
Compatibility: Provide space to prevent stinging interactions with other corals.

Buy Hammer Corals: [ CLICK HERE ]

7. Kenya Tree Coral:

Characteristics: Bushy, tree-like polyps that sway with water movement.
Care Requirements: Low to moderate light, low to moderate water flow, stable conditions.
Compatibility: It can grow rapidly, so manage its spread and interactions.

Buy Kenya Tree Corals: [ CLICK HERE ]

8. Button Polyps (Palythoa):

Characteristics: Brightly colored, small polyps that form dense mats.
Care Requirements: Moderate light, moderate water flow, stable water chemistry.
Compatibility: Place strategically to avoid overgrowth onto neighboring corals.

Buy Button Polyp Corals: [ CLICK HERE ]

9. Toadstool Leather Coral:

Characteristics: Large, leather-like polyps that create a unique visual appeal.
Care Requirements: Low to moderate light, low to moderate water flow, stable conditions.
Compatibility: Place with enough space to accommodate its growth.

Buy Toadstool Corals: [ CLICK HERE ]

10. Clove Polyps:

Characteristics: Dense clumps of long stemmed polyps, resembling fireworks.
Care Requirements: Moderate light, moderate water flow, stable water chemistry.
Compatibility: Provide ample space to prevent overgrowing other corals.

Buy Clove Polyp Corals: [ CLICK HERE ]

As you embark on your reefkeeping journey, remember that each coral species has its own set of preferences and behaviors. Monitoring water parameters, observing growth patterns, and maintaining balance within your tank are key factors in nurturing a thriving coral community. By selecting these beginner-friendly corals, you're setting yourself up for a rewarding and visually stunning marine aquarium experience.

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What is Palytoxin?

12/9/2022

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Palytoxin is a highly toxic compound that is produced by certain species of zoanthus corals, including Palythoa grandis, Nuclear Death Paly, Purple Death Paly, Button Polyps and other types of zoanthus corals. It is a polycyclic ether that is highly potent and can be harmful or even lethal to humans and other animals if ingested or inhaled. It is thought to serve as a defense mechanism for the coral, deterring potential predators from consuming it. Palytoxin can also be harmful to other marine animals, including fish and invertebrates.

Button Polyps contain
high levels of Palytoxin.

Highly Toxic Grandis Paly

Symptoms of palytoxin poisoning in humans can include fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle and/or abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, and heart problems. In severe cases, palytoxin poisoning can be life-threatening and may require immediate medical attention. There are cases of people dying from palytoxin poisoning. The damage it causes to the body are dependent upon exposure levels and mode of exposure.

Safety precautions are recommended. It is important to handle zoanthus corals with care and avoid inhaling or ingesting any water that may contain palytoxin. It is also important to thoroughly wash your hands and working areas after handling these corals. Wearing gloves and eye protection is advised. Do not cut these corals on a wet saw as this can cause airborne droplets to form which may be inhaled or land on surfaces causing contamination.

Real Stories from Fellow Reefers...

Jacob B.
Grandis palys put me down for the count. Took as many precautions as I could using eye protection, gloves, mask and apron but still managed to get it. Only thing I could think of getting it was that I had a cut on my hand under my gloves. Started feeling bad on my way to work then got the most God awful copper taste in my mouth and the worst flu like symptoms and headache I've ever had in my life. Literally laid in the floor of my office trailer for 4-5 hours curled up in a ball until I could get enough strength to drive home and endure the rest of the day and part of the next before I came too. 10/10 wouldn't recommend!

Lee V.
I was on a respirator after my encounter with paly's I cut off a tank wall. Got lucky i told my wife what i thought it was before losing my speech. My tongue felt like someone put half a dozen 9volt batteries on it at the same time and I couldn't respond enough to tell them by the time i got there.

Windsor A.
I’ve been hit twice. I was cleaning some coral frag racks off in a sink not realizing there were very tiny pieces of palys that had rip off onto them. About 8 hours after exposure it will full on chills, joints aches, fever, and just over all felt like a flu hit me with every symptom immediately. It sucked. Fortunately it all went away before I even woke up the next day.
Oh!! And the second time I was hit I wore gloves, face mask and face shield and STILL GOT IT. So sometimes proper PPE doesn’t even help. I caution anyone considering adding these to their tanks. They also grow so well and that’s just more potential poison.

Corey B.
20 years of working with the and I was hit once, by my own fault. They are not a coral to be feared, just respected. Proper PPE and cognitive alert to what you are doing. Hands do not touch anything but the coral, and AS SOON as I am done, cleaning off begins, starting with alcohol spray to neutralize the toxin, then scrub from upper arm down to fingertips.

Palytoxin is one of the most poisonous non-protein substances known to man. It should be taken seriously and if you are going to own these animals it's important to be informed on the dangers that go along with caring for them. They are beautiful animals that can be enjoyed safely, so long as you take proper safety measures.

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LEARN

Top 10 Corals for Beginner Reefkeepers

1. Zoanthids (Zoas):

2. Mushroom Corals:

3. Green Star Polyps (GSP):

4. Trumpet Coral:

5. Pulsing Xenia:

6. Hammer Coral:

7. Kenya Tree Coral:

8. Button Polyps (Palythoa):

9. Toadstool Leather Coral:

10. Clove Polyps:

What is Palytoxin?

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