Did you know there are around 6,000 known coral species globally?
Corals come in all shapes, sizes, and colors! Some help build huge coral reefs that are like underwater cities for fish and other sea creatures. Others live in deep, dark parts of the ocean. There are Stony Corals that look like rocks, Soft Corals that sway like plants, and even Fire Corals that aren’t true corals but play an important role on the reef. Each type of coral helps keep ocean life healthy and beautiful!
Coral Species Guide: Discover the Stars of the Reef-Keeping World 🌊
There are around 6,000 known coral species globally. These include both reef-building (hermatypic) corals, primarily found in tropical oceans, and non-reef-building (ahermatypic) corals, which can live in deeper or cooler waters. The reef-building species, mainly stony corals from the order Scleractinia, are the most commonly recognized due to their critical role in forming coral reefs.
Here’s a rough breakdown of coral types:
- SPS (Small Polyp Stony) Corals – Over 1,500 species
- LPS (Large Polyp Stony) Corals – Hundreds of species, though fewer than SPS
- Soft Corals (Octocorallia), including gorgonians and sea fans – Thousands of species
- Fire Corals (Millepora), though technically hydrozoans, often included due to their appearance and role in reefs
While we can’t cover every coral species here, our guide highlights some of the most popular and unique types in the reef-keeping hobby. Dive in and discover the stars of the coral world that you can bring into your home!