LPS Coral Care: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Updated at: 26/03/2025

The vibrant world of reef aquariums is captivating, and few things add such dazzling color and complexity as Little Polyp Stony (LPS) corals. Their intricate structures and diverse appearances make them a popular choice for both seasoned aquarists and enthusiastic beginners. However, successfully keeping these delicate creatures requires a dedicated understanding of their specific needs, from water parameters to appropriate lighting and feeding. Often perceived as more challenging than some soft corals, LPS corals reward careful attention with years of breathtaking beauty. Successfully navigating the intricacies of LPS coral care can seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and consistent effort, it's achievable.

This ultimate guide is designed to equip you with the fundamental knowledge needed to thrive in the rewarding hobby of LPS coral keeping. We'll walk you through every crucial step, from selecting healthy corals and setting up your aquarium to mastering water chemistry and implementing effective feeding strategies. Ready to embark on this exciting journey? Let's dive into the step-by-step process of providing optimal care for your LPS corals.

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • N/A
Safety Guidelines
  • Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling LPS corals or their equipment to avoid transferring harmful bacteria or oils.
  • Avoid placing LPS corals too close together or against the glass, as this can restrict water flow and lead to disease or stress. Ensure adequate spacing for optimal growth.
  • Sudden changes in water parameters (temperature, salinity, pH) can be lethal to LPS corals. Make any adjustments gradually over several hours or days.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Selecting and Acquiring LPS Corals

    • Indonesian torch corals, Scolymias, and Acanthophilias are good choices for beginners. Avoid damaged corals when purchasing.
    Choosing Beginner-Friendly LPS Corals: Indonesian torch corals, Scolymias, and Acanthophilias are good choices for beginners. Avoid damaged corals when purchasing.
    Selecting and Acquiring LPS Corals

  2. Setting Up the Aquarium Environment

    • Maintain a slightly cooler temperature (20.5-23°C). Reduce light intensity for LPS corals to avoid stress.
    • Most LPS corals prefer moderate flow, avoiding direct placement in strong currents. Ophilias are an exception and benefit from stronger flow. Use a pulse mode water flow system with periods of higher current (3-4 times a day) to flush waste.
    Water Flow: Most LPS corals prefer moderate flow, avoiding direct placement in strong currents. Ophilias are an exception and benefit from stronger flow. Use a pulse mode water flow system with periods of higher current (3-4 times a day) to flush waste.Water Flow: Most LPS corals prefer moderate flow, avoiding direct placement in strong currents. Ophilias are an exception and benefit from stronger flow. Use a pulse mode water flow system with periods of higher current (3-4 times a day) to flush waste.
    Setting Up the Aquarium Environment

  3. Maintaining Water Quality

    • LPS corals are more tolerant of fluctuations than SPS corals. Aim for phosphate around 0.06 (higher is generally better, but avoid extremes). Adjust nitrate levels accordingly (e.g., if phosphate is 0.1, target nitrate around 10). Maintain a higher KH (8-8.5).
    Maintaining Ideal Water Parameters: LPS corals are more tolerant of fluctuations than SPS corals. Aim for phosphate around 0.06 (higher is generally better, but avoid extremes). Adjust nitrate levels accordingly (e.g., if phosphate is 0.1, target nitrate around 10). Maintain a higher KH (8-8.5).
    Maintaining Water Quality

  4. Feeding Your LPS Corals

    • Use a variety of foods including zooplankton, frozen foods (mysis shrimp, lobster eggs), dry foods, artemia, and even fresh clams (especially for acanthophilias).
    Feeding LPS Corals: Use a variety of foods including zooplankton, frozen foods (mysis shrimp, lobster eggs), dry foods, artemia, and even fresh clams (especially for acanthophilias).
    Feeding Your LPS Corals

  5. Preventing Coral Conflicts

    • Be mindful of coral placement. Globally, failures are highly aggressive and should be kept separate. Scolymias and other corals can often be placed near each other without issues. Observe individual coral behavior to determine appropriate placement.
    Preventing Coral Stinging: Be mindful of coral placement. Globally, failures are highly aggressive and should be kept separate. Scolymias and other corals can often be placed near each other without issues. Observe individual coral behavior to determine appropriate placement.
    Preventing Coral Conflicts

Read more: Setting Up Your First Saltwater Reef Aquarium: A Beginner's Journey

Tips

  • Only buy inflated, healthy corals. Damaged corals have a high mortality rate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring Water Parameters

Reason: Inconsistent or improper water parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) are the leading cause of LPS coral death. LPS corals are sensitive and require stable conditions.
Solution: Regularly test your water and adjust parameters accordingly using appropriate methods like water changes and filtration.

2. Providing Insufficient or Incorrect Lighting

Reason: LPS corals need specific lighting intensities and spectrums to thrive. Too little light leads to slow growth and bleaching, while too much can cause coral tissue damage.
Solution: Research the specific lighting requirements of your LPS coral species and adjust your lighting accordingly.

FAQs

What are the most common problems beginners face with LPS corals?
Beginners often struggle with maintaining stable water parameters (especially calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium), providing adequate but not excessive lighting, and recognizing and addressing early signs of stress like bleaching or receding polyps. Improper feeding practices, introducing incompatible tank mates, and neglecting regular water changes also contribute to common problems.
Choosing the right coral for your aquarium is crucial, and many beginners are drawn to the vibrant hues of yellow corals. If you're captivated by their sunny beauty, you might find our exploration of five breathtaking yellow coral species for aquariums helpful in selecting the perfect addition to your LPS reef. Understanding the specific care requirements of these stunning corals, as detailed in this guide, will ensure their long-term health and vibrancy.