Buy Soft Corals – Hardy, Colourful and Versatile
Soft corals have no rigid skeleton and are among the most rewarding corals in the reef aquarium. The most popular groups include zoanthids (Zoanthus & Palythoa) and mushroom corals such as Discosoma, Rhodactis and Ricordea. They grow reliably, tolerate minor fluctuations in water parameters and still offer a huge choice of colours and patterns – from beginner reefs to collector's displays.
Keeping soft corals
Soft corals feel at home at 24–26 °C, 33–35 PSU and a carbonate hardness of 7–9 dKH. Unlike many stony corals, they also tolerate somewhat higher nutrient levels: slightly elevated nitrate and phosphate even promote growth and colour intensity in Zoanthus and mushrooms. Above all, consistent water quality is important.
Light and flow
Mushroom corals prefer subdued to moderate light (50–150 PAR) and low flow – they are ideal for shadier areas of the aquarium. Zoanthus do best with moderate to strong light (100–250 PAR) and moderate flow. Thanks to these differences, soft corals can be placed in almost any zone of the reef.
Propagation and care
Many soft corals reproduce on their own in the aquarium. Over time Zoanthus form dense polyp carpets, while mushrooms split or bud off new offshoots. Leave enough space to sensitive stony corals, as soft corals can spread quickly. Gloves should be worn when handling Palythoa and Zoanthus, as some species contain palytoxin.
Soft Corals at Premium Reefing
At Premium Reefing you will find hand-selected WYSIWYG soft corals in exceptional colour morphs. Every coral goes through at least 14 days of quarantine and is shipped securely packed across Europe. Choose your category above and discover the right soft coral for your reef aquarium.
