LPS coral - Hammer, Torch, Goniopora, Acanthastrea, Chalice

LPS coral.

Large polyp stony. The Goldilocks category - hardier than SPS, more dynamic than soft coral, and the home of named morphs that rival Acropora cultivars in pricing. Hammer, Torch, Goniopora, Acanthastrea, Chalice, and beyond.

Hammer (Euphyllia ancora)

Branching, wall, octospawn. Gold, green, purple. The classic centerpiece LPS.

Torch (E. glabrescens)

Indo, Aussie, JF, Holy Grail. The most-collected LPS in the modern hobby.

Frogspawn

E. divisa. Branching forks with split tentacles. Hardy, fast-growing.

Goniopora

Aussie and Indo. Long polyp daisy-flower expression. Once "death coral," now reef-keepable.

Acanthastrea

Lordhowensis (Micromussa) and bowerbanki. Named morphs with vibrant color blocks.

Chalice

Mycedium, Echinophyllia, Oxypora. 500+ named morphs, premium tier.

Brain

Open Brain (Trachyphyllia), Closed Brain (Lobophyllia), Maze Brain. Centerpiece floor pieces.

Plate (Fungia)

Long Tentacle, Short Tentacle, Cycloseris. Free-living, motile, sand-dwelling.

Duncan

Duncanopsammia axifuga. Hardy, fast-growing, accepts feeding aggressively.

Scolymia

Aussie Scoly, Indo Scoly, Master Scoly. WYSIWYG single-polyp specimens, premium pricing.

Cynarina

Modern Cat's Eye coral. Dramatic single-polyp expansion.

Bubble Coral

Plerogyra. Day bubbles, night sweepers. Dramatic visual.

LPS care basics

LPS sits between soft coral and SPS in difficulty. Most LPS species tolerate moderate parameter swings (alkalinity 7-10 dKH), modest light (100-250 PAR), and gentle flow. Notable exceptions:

Goniopora: demands stable parameters and feeding; historically had high mortality
Chalice: low light (50-150 PAR), low flow, dim placement near sand
Acanthastrea / Micromussa: low-to-mid light, target feed for color expression
Hammer/Torch/Frogspawn: moderate light, moderate flow, NEVER touch other coral - they sting and chemical-warfare neighbors

For full reef parameters and dosing methodology, see the SPS husbandry framework (most parameters apply to LPS at the lower end of the band).