For many marine aquarium hobbyists, the fascinating world of corals is just as important to them as the fish. On the other hand, if you are new to saltwater tanks, you might feel a bit daunted about keeping corals. They do take some work to maintain in a healthy environment, but you will be rewarded with beautiful lifeforms of an endless variety.

 

What exactly are corals?

Corals are often confused with colourful plants that grow on the sea bed. In fact, they are marine invertebrate animals, which are formed from a colony of polyps. Each polyp has a mouth and tentacles which they use to gather food. There are around six thousand species of coral around the world, many of which grow in large offshore reefs.

The bright colours of the coral are in fact due to the various types of algae that grow in the tissue of the polyp. The algae also help to remove waste from the coral and aids with the photosynthesis process, which helps to create food and oxygen. In fact, stony coral and algae are interdependent on each other for survival.

Corals are an essential part of the complex marine ecosystem, providing food and shelter to fish, molluscs, and sponges. Although they grow in all sea climates, they only form coral reefs in the warmest and shallower seas. The most famous example is the Great Barrier Reef which is off the North Eastern coast of Australia.

 

What type of corals are there?

Corals are generally described as hard corals or soft corals, and deep sea corals. Hard corals are the type that build reefs, and the hard calcium carbonate is in fact a skeleton that has formed from the secretions of the polyps.

They grow in a variety of shapes and colours which is influenced by the species and where it originates from, and have a symbiotic relationship with a certain species of algae called zooxanthellae.

Soft corals are pliable and do not have a hard outer skeleton. Instead, they have a more solid core which provides them with stability. These types of corals do not grow in reefs, and are not always dependent on algae for survival, unlike hard corals. They prefer nutrient rich sea and need less light for survival than stony corals.

 

Which type of corals are best for a reef tank?

For a beginner, it’s best to start off with some of the easier to maintain corals. These include Mushroom Corals, which are soft corals and grow on rocks. They grow best in low lighting conditions with little water movement. They are safe to keep with most marine creatures, but should not be placed directly next to stony corals.

Leather Corals are also regarded as a good starter coral. They grow well in moderate conditions, although they should be given a wide margin from neighbouring corals. Star polyps and daisy polyps are also easy to care for, and suit most tank environments. However, they can spread fast if left unchecked.

 

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