First corals

Soft corals and gorgonians

The least demanding corals in our aquariums are certainly leather corals such as Kenia trees or mushroom leather corals or zooxantellar gorgonians such as Pinnigorgia. To check whether the water is suitable for the start, I like to introduce a kenia tree first. If this opens the polyps and is in a good position, more corals can follow.

In general, the corals that I use for the initial stocking are often not the corals that will characterize the subsequent stocking. The initial stocking should form the environment in which more demanding corals can later thrive. The first corals should be insensitive and fast-growing in order to boost nutrient turnover. The corals absorb nutrients dissolved in the water and convert them into biomass. Soft corals in particular then release nutrients back into the water in organic form, as their surface is constantly renewing itself. Other corals can then also benefit from this, as they can utilize this material.

Even if I, as a dealer, have an interest in you buying corals from me, the best place to get this initial stocking is from aquarist friends. Check whether there are regional WhatsApp or Facebook groups where cuttings are exchanged. Here you can get in touch with other aquarists, the first corals and, very importantly, you can also get rid of the corals again if they get too big or you want to replace your first stock with more demanding animals.