Coral Compatibility Guide: Which Corals Can Live Together
A practical guide to mixing LPS, SPS, and soft corals without them fighting
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The 3 Types of Corals Explained
Before we talk compatibility, let's understand what we're working with.
LPS Corals (Large Polyp Stony)
What they look like: Big, fleshy polyps. Open and close. Visibly "alive."
Examples: Favites, Blastomussa, Frogspawn, Brain coral, Torch
Care needs: - Medium light (100-150 PAR) - Moderate flow (1-2x tank volume per hour) - Easy to feed (can target-feed) - Good beginner coral
Stinging power: Medium (can sting neighbors if close)
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SPS Corals (Small Polyp Stony)
What they look like: Tiny polyps, thin branches, intricate structure.
Examples: Acropora, Montipora, Pocillopora, Stylophora
Care needs: - High light (250-500 PAR) - Strong flow (3-4x tank volume per hour) - Difficult to feed (photosynthesis is main food) - Beginner-hostile (needs perfect water)
Stinging power: Strong (will win most fights)
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Soft Corals
What they look like: Flexible, tree-like, gentle.
Examples: Leather coral, Mushroom, Zoanthids, Xenia, Pipe organ
Care needs: - Low to medium light (50-150 PAR) - Any flow (not picky) - Easy to keep (most forgiving) - Great for beginners
Stinging power: Low (rarely sting)
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The Compatibility Matrix
Here's the truth: Can they live together?
| Mix |
| LPS with SPS |
| SPS with SPS |
| Soft with Soft |
| Compatible? |
| ❌ No |
| ⚠️ Cautious |
| ✅ Yes |
| Notes |
| Corals fight; sting each other |
| Space 1-2" apart; they sting each other |
| Easy to mix |
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Breaking It Down by Combination
Combination 1: LPS + LPS
Verdict: ⚠️ Cautious (possible but requires spacing)
Why: Both have stinging tentacles (nematocysts). If close, they sting each other.
How to make it work: - Space them 2-3 inches apart minimum - Don't let tentacles touch - Use rockwork to create barriers - Watch for signs of stress (one shrinks = too close)
Best practice: If you're new, keep LPS corals in separate areas of the tank.
Example setup: - Torch coral on left side - Frogspawn on right side - Brain coral in middle (low stinging power) - Minimum 20-gallon tank
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Combination 2: LPS + SPS
Verdict: ❌ Avoid
Why: SPS have stronger stings. LPS will lose the battle.
What happens: The SPS (usually an acropora) grows tentacles that reach the LPS. LPS gets stung repeatedly. LPS retreats, bleaches, dies.
Why people try it: "They look good together!"
Reality: You'll watch one die slowly over 2-3 weeks.
Better idea: Choose either LPS OR SPS. Don't mix.
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Combination 3: LPS + Soft
Verdict: ✅ Yes (with spacing)
Why: Soft corals are too gentle to sting back. LPS won't bother them.
How to make it work: - Space them 3-4 inches apart - LPS on one side, soft on other - Easy to manage
Best beginner combo: LPS (torch or brain) + Soft corals (mushroom or zoa)
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Combination 4: SPS + SPS
Verdict: ⚠️ Cautious (possible but requires expertise)
Why: Multiple SPS compete for space. They sting each other constantly.
How to make it work: - Space them 1-2 inches apart minimum - Different species sting differently (some worse) - Requires strong flow to separate stinging clouds - Requires high light and perfect water - Not beginner-friendly
Better idea for beginners: Skip SPS altogether. Do LPS or soft instead.
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Combination 5: SPS + Soft
Verdict: ✅ Yes (usually)
Why: Soft corals are too gentle. SPS won't bother them.
How to make it work: - Space them 2-3 inches apart - Soft corals on lower light areas - SPS on high light areas - Natural separation
Caveat: Some aggressive soft corals (certain leather corals) can compete. Watch them.
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Combination 6: Soft + Soft
Verdict: ✅ Yes (most compatible)
Why: Soft corals are gentle with each other.
How to make it work: - Space them 1-2 inches apart (closer is OK) - Mix colors and textures freely - This is the easiest setup for beginners
Best beginner setup: 5-6 soft corals (mushrooms, zoanthids, leather) = colorful, forgiving, thriving tank.
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Practical Tank Layouts
Layout 1: Pure LPS Reef (30 gallons)
Corals: - Brain coral (center, low aggression) - Torch coral (left side) - Frogspawn (right side) - Hammer coral (back left)
Spacing: 3+ inches between each
Fish: Clownfish, firefish, goby
Difficulty: Beginner ✅
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Layout 2: Pure Soft Coral Reef (20 gallons)
Corals: - Mushroom (various colors) - Zoanthids (various colors) - Leather coral (center) - Xenia (for movement)
Spacing: 1-2 inches apart (they're gentle)
Fish: Clownfish, firefish
Difficulty: Beginner ✅ (Easiest!)
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Layout 3: LPS + Soft Mix (40 gallons)
LPS Section (high flow area): - Torch coral - Frogspawn - Brain coral
Soft Section (low flow area): - Multiple mushrooms - Zoanthids - Soft leather
Spacing: LPS and soft areas separated by 4+ inches
Fish: Clownfish, goby, firefish, chromis
Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate ✅
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Layout 4: AVOID - Mixed SPS (Don't Do This)
Why it fails: - SPS need high light (250-500 PAR) - SPS sting each other constantly - Requires 75+ gallon tank minimum - Needs perfect water chemistry - Not for beginners
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Coral Placement Tips
High-Light Zones (Top of tank)
Best for: SPS corals, some LPS Place here if you have strong lightsMedium-Light Zones (Middle of tank)
Best for: Most LPS, some soft corals Safe zone for most beginner coralsLow-Light Zones (Bottom, shadowed areas)
Best for: Mushrooms, zoanthids, leathers Don't put SPS here (they'll bleach)---
Growth Spacing
Important: When you first buy corals, they're small. They'll grow.
Plan for growth: - Torch coral: Grows 3-4 inches per year - Frogspawn: Grows 2-3 inches per year - Acropora: Grows rapidly (6+ inches per year)
Solution: Space them further than minimum. They'll fill in.
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Compatibility Problems & Fixes
Problem: Coral is shrinking
Causes: - Too close to another coral (stinging) - Wrong light for that species - Poor water quality - Not enough food (for LPS)
Fix: - Move it 4+ inches away - Check light level (PAR meter if possible) - Do 20% water change - Target-feed with liquid food
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Problem: One coral is killing another
What's happening: The aggressive coral is winning the sting fight.
Quick fix: - Move one immediately - If LPS vs SPS: SPS is winning — move SPS away - If LPS vs soft: LPS is winning — move LPS away
Prevention: Don't mix incompatible types.
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Problem: Corals look pale/bleached
Causes: - Wrong light (too much or too little) - High temperature (over 80°F) - Stress from other corals
Fix: - Move to different light zone - Check heater (should be 76-80°F) - Move away from aggressive corals - Wait 1-2 weeks for recovery
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Beginner's Best Bet
If you're starting out: Choose ONE type, not a mix.
Recommendation: Start with soft corals only.
Why: - ✅ Most forgiving (easiest to keep) - ✅ Compatible with each other - ✅ Cheap (start small, expand) - ✅ Beautiful (lots of color options) - ✅ Low light requirements (easier lighting) - ✅ Can add fish immediately
Beginner soft coral starter: - 3-4 mushroom corals ($15-20 each) - 2-3 zoanthid fragments ($10-15 each) - 1 leather coral ($20-30) - Total: ~$80-100 for colorful, thriving tank
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EasternMarine Coral Collections
Soft Coral Beginner Set ($89)
Includes: - 3 mushrooms (assorted colors) - 2 zoa frags (assorted) - Care guide - Feeding instructions---
LPS Trio ($99)
Includes: - Brain coral - Torch coral - Frogspawn - Spacing guide---
FAQ: Coral Compatibility Questions
Q: Can I mix EVERYTHING in one tank? A: No. SPS + LPS will fail. But soft + LPS works. Pure soft is easiest.
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Q: How far apart do they need to be? A: 2-3" for LPS, 1-2" for soft, 1-2" for SPS. More is safer.
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Q: If they sting each other, will they die? A: Not immediately, but slower growth. Move them if one starts shrinking.
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Q: Can I move corals after they're placed? A: Yes, but give them 1 week to recover between moves.
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Next Steps
1. Choose your path: Soft only, LPS only, or LPS+soft mix 2. Pick specific corals from your EasternMarine collection 3. Plan spacing using the layouts above 4. Buy fish last (they don't need space like corals do) 5. Wait 2 weeks after setup before adding fish
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Ready to Build Your Reef?
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→ Shop All Corals → Shop Beginner Collections → Ask Our Team (Free Design Help)
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Plan your coral placement right, and you'll have a thriving, beautiful reef. 🪸