Coral Identification Guides

Identifying coral varieties can be difficult because many trade names often apply to the same coral depending on the vendor. Conditions and lighting can dramatically change how coral colors appear.  The below guides attempt to provide accurate photos of widely used trade names versus names used by only one vendor.

Choose a guide below to explore photographs, identification characteristics, alternate names and other useful information.

Torch Coral Identification Guide

Compare popular Torch coral varieties using photographs and characteristics such as tip color, tentacle color, mouth-area coloration and pattern. The guide includes popular hobby varieties and trade names such as Holy Grail, Dragon Soul, Hellfire and others.

Mushroom Coral Identification Guide

Identify and compare Discosoma, Rhodactis, Ricordea Yuma and other mushroom corals, including popular collector varieties such as Bounce, Jawbreaker and Eclectus mushrooms.

Hammer Coral Identification Guide

Compare Hammer coral varieties by photographs, growth form, coloration and other visible characteristics, including branching and wall Hammer corals.

Zoanthid Identification Guide

Explore popular zoanthid varieties with photographs, alternate names and practical characteristics including care difficulty, growth rate, color brightness and polyp size.