Soft corals are often the first step into the reef side of the hobby. They’re forgiving, colorful, and far less demanding than many LPS and SPS species. If you’re setting up your first reef tank and want movement and color without high-maintenance care, these easy soft corals for beginners are a perfect place to start.

Why Soft Corals Are Great for New Reef Keepers

Soft corals lack a hard skeleton, which makes them more flexible and generally more tolerant of small mistakes. They usually adapt well to moderate lighting and flow, and many grow steadily in stable conditions. Before adding them, make sure your tank has:

• Stable parameters: Salinity 1.024–1.026, temperature 76–79°F, pH 8.1–8.4
• Low nutrients, not zero: Nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.1 ppm
• Moderate flow: Enough to keep detritus from settling, but not blasting polyps
• Moderate lighting: Most easy soft corals do well under basic LED reef lights

For more on getting your system ready before adding corals, see our guide on cycling a saltwater aquarium.

Top Easy Soft Corals for Beginners

Zoanthids & Palythoas

Zoas and palys are some of the most popular beginner corals thanks to their wide range of colors and patterns. They form mats over rock and will gradually cover surfaces.

• Placement: Low to mid-level in the tank with moderate flow
• Lighting: Low to medium; too much light can cause them to close up
• Feeding: Mostly photosynthetic; benefit from occasional coral foods or fine meaty foods

Hobbyist tip: Start them on an isolated rock island. They can spread quickly and are hard to remove once they cover a structure.

Green Star Polyps (GSP)

Green Star Polyps are bright, waving neon-green polyps on a purple mat. They’re extremely hardy and will often be the first coral to open in a new tank.

• Placement: Back wall, separate rock, or isolated island to control spread
• Lighting & flow: Moderate to high flow; moderate light for best color and extension
• Care level: Very easy, perfect for newer tanks once they’re cycled

Because they can overgrow other corals, many reefers dedicate a specific rock or section of the tank to a GSP “garden.” Pairing them with colorful fish from our best beginner saltwater fish list creates a dynamic, beginner-friendly display.

Kenya Tree & Other Leather Corals

Kenya Tree, Toadstool, and other leather corals are classic beginner choices. They sway gracefully in the current and tolerate a range of conditions.

• Placement: Mid to lower rockwork where they get steady, indirect flow
• Lighting: Moderate; they adapt well to most standard reef setups
• Behavior: May occasionally “shed” a waxy layer; this is normal and helps them grow

Hobbyist tip: Run a bit of activated carbon if you keep several leather corals together to help manage chemical warfare.

Keeping Your First Soft Corals Happy

Once your soft corals are in the tank, consistency is the key to success:

• Perform regular 10–15% weekly or biweekly water changes
• Test salinity, nitrate, and phosphate at least weekly in young tanks
• Acclimate new corals slowly to your light by starting them low and moving them up over time
• Inspect new additions for pests and dip them before adding to the display

As your confidence grows, you can begin mixing in more demanding species. When you’re ready for that step, check out our overview of types of coral for reef tanks to plan your next additions.

Soft corals offer a forgiving, colorful introduction to reef keeping. With a stable tank and a bit of patience, Zoanthids, Green Star Polyps, and leather corals can quickly transform your aquarium into a living, moving reef that’s both beginner-friendly and impressive to look at.