Large polyp stony coral is a broad group of corals that have a hard skeleton with large, fleshy polyps. Often, the polyps can
become so large that the hard skeleton cannot be seen. This group of corals has the greatest diversity of size, shape, and color. Because of these extreme differences the general care can vary greatly, but I will outline some of the major requirements for this group.
As a whole, LPS corals usually require moderate to high lighting. Their placement in your tank will depend on what sort of light you have, how large your tank is, and of course, the type of coral. Different corals require different amounts of space. Generally, a corals growth is dependent on its space. Certain popular LPS corals, such as frogspawn or hammer coral, put out “sweeper tentacles” at night. These tentacles may sting corals that are nearby which helps to maintain a buffer zone. Before purchasing a LPS, be sure and ask us if it needs ample space! Most LPS corals are happy with a moderate water flow, but again, it varies depending on the species.
In the store, we have several types of LPS corals including frogspawn, hammer coral, blasto merletti, acans, and more. We rarely do supplemental feeding with our corals since they get most of their nutrients from symbiotic photosynthetic algae called zooxanthelle. This means that the coral must have adequate lighting. Supplemental feeding may be done to increase the coral’s growth. Depending on the size and type of coral you can supplement with phytoplankton, zooplankton, krill, or silver sides.
Because LPS corals have a hard, calcareous skeleton, they can benefit from supplements added to the water, namely calcium. Certain species also benefit from iodine. At Appalachian Tails we use a supplement called “Purple Up” which adds both of these elements to the water. This can be done occasionally to as frequently as 3-4 times a week depending on the species in your tank.
The most important requirement for any coral is good water quality. This is easily accomplished through small, frequent water changes, the use of a protein skimmer, a good “cleanup crew” of snails and hermit crabs, and avoiding over feeding your fish.
Be sure to stop in and check out the wide variety of LPS corals we carry at Appalachian Tails. They have some of the most beautiful shapes and colors of any animal around!