Sanctuary Aquatics Coral Collection
Whether you're just starting your reef journey or you're an experienced hobbyist looking to add stunning corals to your established system, Sanctuary Aquatics' diverse collection offers something extraordinary for every reef enthusiast.
Top Collector Coral Species
For serious reef collectors, certain corals stand out as must-have specimens that showcase both beauty and breeding achievement. Acropora species remain the holy grail of SPS collecting, with varieties like the Princess Peach displaying sunset-like color blends and the Diablo Stag offering intense purplish-pink hues. These demanding collectors corals require pristine water conditions but reward advanced hobbyists with unmatched growth patterns.
Chalice corals have become increasingly popular among collectors for their fluorescent properties and unique patterns. The Glowstick Chalice practically glows under actinic lighting, while Rainbow Chalice specimens offer beautiful coloration that makes each colony truly individual.
For those seeking dramatic focal points, Lobophyllia species like the aptly named Fiery Crater with its molten lava appearance offer bold colors and forgiving care requirements that make them excellent stepping stones into serious coral collecting.
Beginner-Friendly Corals
New to reef keeping? Start your journey with these forgiving and colorful beginner level species that adapt well to a variety of tank conditions:
- Zoanthids and Palythoas - Fast-growing and vibrant, these colonial polyps create stunning carpets of color. They're very forgiving of parameter fluctuations and provide excellent coverage for rock work.
- Mushroom Corals - Extremely hardy and available in countless colors and patterns, mushrooms are perfect for new reef keepers. They tolerate a wide range of lighting and water conditions while adding beautiful movement to your tank.
Intermediate Level Corals
Ready to take the next step? These intermediate level coral species offer more variety and challenge while still being manageable:
- Acan Species - Acanthastrea require careful attention to lighting conditions, as intense lighting can cause dramatic color morphing while proper spectrum control maintains their beautiful rainbow coloration.
- Euphyllia Species - Including Frogspawn, Hammer, and Torch corals, these LPS specimens offer dramatic movement and stunning colors but require more stable parameters and proper feeding.
- Favia and Favites - Brain corals that showcase incredible color combinations and patterns. They're relatively hardy but benefit from target feeding and stable conditions.
- Blastomussa and Micromussa - These colorful LPS corals reward good care with incredible growth and coloration, perfect for aquarists developing their skills.
- Goniopora - Once considered difficult, modern aquaculture has produced hardier specimens that respond well to proper care and regular feeding.
All Coral Species
Acans (Acanthastrea)
Acanthastrea corals (or Acans) are known for their incredible color combinations and relatively easy care requirements. These LPS corals feature large, fleshy polyps that can display stunning gradients from deep purples and blues to bright oranges and reds. They prefer moderate lighting and benefit from occasional target feeding with meaty foods. Acans are excellent for adding bold color statements to your reef while being forgiving enough for intermediate reef keepers.
Acropora
The crown jewel of SPS corals, Acropora species offer unmatched diversity in form and color. From delicate branching varieties to robust table corals, these fast-growing specimens create the backbone of mature reef systems. Acropora require intense lighting, strong water flow, and pristine water quality, making them best suited for experienced aquarists with well-established systems. Their rapid growth and stunning coloration make them the ultimate reward for dedicated reef keepers.
Anemone
While technically not corals, anemones are beloved additions to reef tanks, especially for those keeping clownfish. Our selection includes Bubble Tip Anemones, Long Tentacle Anemones, and other popular species. Anemones require moderate to high lighting, excellent water quality, and may move around the tank until they find their preferred location. They benefit from regular feeding and can split naturally to create multiple specimens.
Blastomussa
Blastomussa corals, including the popular Blasto wellsi and merletti, are chunky LPS corals known for their vibrant colors and relatively easy care. These corals feature large, round polyps that can display incredible color combinations including bright reds, oranges, purples, and greens. They prefer moderate lighting and benefit from regular target feeding, making them excellent choices for intermediate reef keepers looking to add bold colors to their systems.
Chalice
Chalice corals represent some of the most exotic and colorful specimens in the reef keeping hobby. These plating corals can display incredible patterns, textures, and color combinations that seem almost artificial. From the classic Rainbow Chalice to rare collector pieces, these corals prefer moderate lighting and good water flow. While generally hardy, the Chalice can be sensitive to rapid parameter changes and benefit from stable, mature systems.
Cyphastrea
Cyphastrea corals are excellent encrusting species that create beautiful backgrounds and fill gaps in rockwork. Available in various colors including bright greens, oranges, and purples, these hardy corals adapt well to different lighting conditions and are very forgiving of parameter fluctuations. Their encrusting nature makes them perfect for creating natural-looking reef structures while being easy enough for beginners to maintain successfully.
Euphyllia
The Euphyllia genus includes some of the most dramatic and popular LPS corals in the hobby. Frogspawn, Hammer, and Torch corals all feature flowing tentacles that create mesmerizing movement in your tank. These corals prefer moderate lighting and flow, and their tentacles can extend several inches, creating stunning displays. They benefit from regular feeding and can be somewhat aggressive toward neighboring corals, requiring adequate spacing.
Favia
Favia brain corals are classic reef tank inhabitants known for their intricate patterns and diverse colorations. These hardy LPS corals feature distinct corallite walls that create beautiful geometric patterns across their surface. Available in numerous color combinations, Favia corals prefer moderate lighting and benefit from occasional target feeding. They're excellent choices for adding texture and color diversity to reef systems.
Goniopora
Goniopora feature hundreds of polyps that extend during the day, creating a stunning flowering effect. Modern aquacultured specimens have proven much hardier than wild-collected varieties. These corals prefer moderate lighting and benefit significantly from regular feeding with fine particulate foods. When properly cared for, Goniopora can become centerpiece corals that add incredible movement and color to reef displays.
Lobophyllia
Lobophyllia brain corals are large, impressive LPS specimens that can become stunning centerpieces in reef tanks. These corals feature large, fleshy polyps that can display incredible color combinations and patterns. They prefer moderate lighting and benefit from regular target feeding. Lobophyllia can grow quite large and may require adequate space and careful placement to prevent shading other corals.
Montipora
Montipora corals offer incredible diversity in growth forms, from encrusting plates to delicate branching structures. These SPS corals are generally considered more forgiving than Acropora while still providing the benefits of fast growth and beautiful coloration. Popular varieties of Montipora corals include the Starburst Montipora, Slowburn Montipora, Grafted Sunfire Montipora, and more. They prefer moderate to high lighting and good water flow.
Mushroom
Mushroom corals (Discosoma, Rhodactis, and Ricordea) are among the hardiest and most diverse corals available. From common green varieties to exotic collector pieces with intricate patterns and unusual colors, mushrooms adapt to a wide range of conditions. They're perfect for beginners and experts alike, often serving as indicator species for tank health while providing beautiful color and movement.
Zoas/Palys (Zoanthids and Palythoas)
Zoanthids and Palythoas create some of the most colorful displays in reef tanks, with varieties featuring incredible names like Eagle Eye, Utter Chaos, and Rainbow Incinerator. These colonial polyps spread across surfaces, creating living carpets of color. They're extremely hardy and fast-growing, making them perfect for beginners while offering enough variety to captivate experienced collectors. Proper lighting brings out their most vibrant colors.
Understanding SPS vs LPS Corals
- Small Polyp Stony (SPS) Corals feature tiny polyps and typically have a branching or plating growth structure. Examples include Acropora and Montipora. SPS corals generally require intense lighting, strong water flow, and pristine water quality. They're fast-growing and often form the structural backbone of reef systems, but they're more demanding and best suited for experienced aquarists with mature, stable systems.
- Large Polyp Stony (LPS) Corals have larger, more visible polyps and often feature fleshy tissue. Examples include Euphyllia, Favia, and Blastomussa. LPS corals typically prefer moderate lighting and benefit from regular feeding. They're generally more forgiving of parameter fluctuations and are often recommended for intermediate reef keepers. Many LPS corals can be aggressive toward neighbors, requiring careful placement and adequate spacing.
WYSIWYG and Almost WYSIWYG
At Sanctuary Aquatics, we understand that selecting the perfect coral for your reef is important. That's why we offer both WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) and Almost WYSIWYG corals in our collection.
- WYSIWYG corals are photographed individually, and the exact specimen shown in the photo is what you'll receive. This ensures you know precisely what you're purchasing, from coloration to size and growth pattern.
- "Almost WYSIWYG" corals are represented by photos that show either the actual coral or a very similar representative specimen from the same batch or colony. While you may not receive the exact coral photographed, you'll receive a coral that closely matches the size, coloration, and quality shown in the image.
Check out all other coral species here.
Contact Us
Ready to enhance your reef with stunning corals from Sanctuary Aquatics? Our knowledgeable team is here to help you select the perfect specimens for your system and provide expert guidance on coral care.
We're passionate about helping you create the reef of your dreams with healthy, beautiful corals that will thrive in your aquarium for years to come. To get started, please give our team a call at 920-385-4802 or contact us online.
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