Zoanthids vs mushroom corals: which should you buy first?
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Zoanthids and mushroom corals are both popular first corals. They look different, behave differently and suit different parts of a tank.
| Zoanthids (zoas) | Mushroom corals | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical light (PAR) | 75 to 150 | 30 to 100 (bounce mushrooms 50 to 150) |
| Flow | Moderate | Low to moderate |
| Where they sit | Mid-tank, on rock | Shaded or lower spots |
| Spreading | Grow into colonies | Can spread across rock |
| Safety | Can contain palytoxin: gloves and eye protection | No palytoxin warning, but still avoid touching your face |
| Price | Wide range, rare colours cost more | Wide range, bounce and rare mushrooms cost more |
Which suits you
- Choose zoanthids for colour and a colony that fills a rock. Take care when handling them.
- Choose mushrooms if you have shaded, low-flow areas where little else will grow.
- Many keepers start with both, in different parts of the tank.
A few mistakes to avoid
- Putting a mushroom under strong light and flow. It will shrink or detach.
- Putting zoanthids and mushrooms touching. Give them space.
- Dropping a new frag into full light. Start low and raise over a couple of weeks. See our acclimation guide.
Read the full best beginner corals list, or browse the shop.