𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟓 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐏𝐒 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞!

Starting with SPS corals can feel intimidating, but not all SPS species are created equally when it comes to care. These five beginner-friendly SPS corals are hardier, more forgiving, and less demanding than some of their high-maintenance cousins, making them perfect for hobbyists looking to dip their toes into the world of SPS.

Now these are my personal favorites to start out my clients with. My opinion, don't come at me! 😂

1. Montipora (Montipora spp.)

Photo Credit: Sunnyside Corals, Ocean Store, World Wide Corals, Vivid Aquariums, Ocean Floor 

• Why It’s Beginner-Friendly:
  Montipora corals come in various growth forms, such as plating (Montipora capricornis), branching (Montipora digitata), and encrusting varieties, providing options for all tank layouts. They are hardy, adaptable, and tolerant of minor fluctuations in water parameters, making them more forgiving than Acropora.
• Key Features:
  • Vibrant colors (reds, greens, oranges).
  • Thrive in moderate to high lighting.
  • Moderate flow keeps them healthy without being too demanding.

Tamara's Pro Tip: Start with plating varieties like Montipora capricornis for ease of placement and stunning visual impact.

2. Bird’s Nest Coral (Seriatopora spp.)

Photo Credit: Extreme Corals, CrazyCoral, The Coral Garden, World Wide Corals, Reeffishcenter Wholesale, Reefs.com

• Why It’s Beginner-Friendly:
  With its thin, delicate branches and feathery polyps, Bird’s Nest Coral is visually stunning and easier to care for compared to more sensitive SPS like Acropora. It’s hardy as long as water parameters are reasonably stable and flow is adequate.
• Key Features:
  • Fast-growing and quick to recover from minor setbacks.
  • Indicator coral—its health often reflects overall tank stability.

Tamara's Pro Tip: Avoid placing Bird’s Nest in areas with heavy detritus buildup, as its intricate branches can trap debris.

3. Pocillopora (Pocillopora spp.)

Photo Credit: Tidal Gardens, World Wide Corals, RecifAtHome, Live Aquaria, Extreme Corals, Vivid Aquariums, World Wide Corals

• Why It’s Beginner-Friendly:
  Known for its resilience, Pocillopora is a tough SPS coral that can handle less-than-perfect water conditions. It grows quickly and establishes itself easily, making it a great starter coral for those new to SPS care.
• Key Features:
  • Dense, bushy colonies in pastel pinks, greens, and creams.
  • Hardy and adaptable to varying light and flow levels.
  • Can reproduce through “polyp bailout,” allowing colonies to form in other parts of the tank.

Tamara's Pro Tip: Monitor Pocillopora colonies to ensure they don’t spread unintentionally.

4. Stylophora (Stylophora spp.)

Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Top Shelf Aquatics, World Wide Corals, Sunnyside Corals, Tidal Gardens, Live Aquaria, Tidal Gardens, Ocean Store

• Why It’s Beginner-Friendly:
  Also known as Cat’s Paw Coral, Stylophora is slightly more forgiving than other branching SPS species. It tolerates moderate parameter fluctuations better than Acropora and thrives in moderate to high flow.
• Key Features:
  • Compact, bushy branches that are less fragile than Bird’s Nest Coral.
  • Tolerates a wide range of lighting intensities (200–350 PAR).
  • Displays vibrant colors like pink, purple, or green.

Tamara's Pro Tip: Stylophora grows quickly under optimal conditions, making it a rewarding coral for beginners.

5. Cyphastrea (Cyphastrea spp.)

Photo Credit: Top Shelf Aquatics, Tidal Gardens, World Wide Corals, Tidal Gardens, Sunnyside Corals, World Wide Corals

• Why It’s Beginner-Friendly:
  Cyphastrea is one of the few SPS corals that thrive in low-light and low-flow areas, making it highly versatile and a favorite for shaded zones in a tank. Its encrusting growth pattern is hardy and resistant to stress.
• Key Features:
  • Available in striking color combinations with contrasting polyps and tissue.
  • Less light-intensive than other SPS corals, thriving in 50–150 PAR.
  • Ideal for aquascaping tricky or shaded areas.

Tamara's Pro Tip: Place Cyphastrea on a dedicated rock to avoid it overtaking other corals, as its encrusting growth can be rapid.

Conclusion

These beginner SPS corals are selected for their ability to thrive under stable, moderately managed tank conditions. While they still require care and attention, they are far more forgiving than species like Acropora or Millepora. Start with these corals to gain confidence in your SPS care skills and build the foundation for a thriving reef.

Happy Reefing!