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Large Polyp Stony Corals (LPS) — Top 6 Picks for American Tanks in 2025: Acanthastrea, Scolymia, Lobophyllia, Trachyphyllia, Euphyllia, Duncan (Expert Guide to Colorful, Resilient Centerpieces)

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

Large polyp stony corals (LPS) have prominent fleshy polyps and often display bold colors and textures, making them popular centerpieces for marine aquaria. Compared with small polyp stony corals (SPS), LPS species are generally more forgiving of lighting and flow variations and respond well to supplemental feeding, which makes them appealing to a wide range of hobbyists—from newer reef keepers seeking dramatic visual impact to experienced aquarists looking for standout specimens. In USA, interest in LPS corals has grown alongside more affordable LED lighting, improved aquaculture availability, and an active network of local clubs and online vendors. American buyers often prioritize aquacultured stock, clear shipping and quarantine guidance, and species that tolerate indoor temperature control and variable water chemistry.

Top Picks Summary

1. Acanthastrea Corals

2. Scolymia Corals

3. Trachyphyllia Corals

4. Candy Cane and Duncan Corals

5. Chalice Corals

6. Meandroid Brain Corals

Top Picks Summary

  1. Ultra Grade Micromussa Lord
  2. Rainbow Bleeding Apple Scolymia
  3. Indo-Pacific Neon Green Trachyphyllia
  4. Ultra Green Candy Cane Coral
  5. Jason Fox Homewrecker Chalice
  6. Red and Green Meandroid Brain Coral
1
BEST ACANTHASTREA CORALS

Ultra Grade Micromussa Lord

Ultra Grade Micromussa Lord
🏠 Local Product

Ultra Grade Micromussa Lord is the market leader for large-polyp Micromussa/Acanthastrea specimens, prized for oversized polyps, stable genetics and predictable propagation that professional fraggers rely on. It carries a premium price compared with the Rainbow and value-oriented Echinata offerings, but its technical advantage—higher frag success rate and rapid polyp recovery—translates into better long-term ROI for breeders and retailers focused on volume and consistency.

4.5
★★★★☆
Show More Acanthastrea Corals
  • Ultra-large polyps

  • Velvet saturation

  • Ultra-large polyps

  • Velvet saturation

Review Summary

88.5%

"Buyers say this ultra-grade Micromussa shows exceptional color and polyp extension, but it's pricier and can be sensitive to sudden water changes; long-term satisfaction is high among experienced keepers."

  • Collector's prize

  • Ultra-grade Micromussa offers exceptionally vivid coloration and dense polyp structure.

  • Collector's prize

  • Ultra-grade Micromussa offers exceptionally vivid coloration and dense polyp structure.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Ultra Grade Micromussa Lord is the market leader for large-polyp Micromussa/Acanthastrea specimens, prized for oversized polyps, stable genetics and predictable propagation that professional fraggers rely on. It carries a premium price compared with the Rainbow and value-oriented Echinata offerings, but its technical advantage—higher frag success rate and rapid polyp recovery—translates into better long-term ROI for breeders and retailers focused on volume and consistency.

  • Ultra-large polyps

  • Velvet saturation

  • Collector's prize

  • Ultra-grade Micromussa offers exceptionally vivid coloration and dense polyp structure.

  • Requires stable aquarium conditions and careful acclimation for best color retention.

  • Ultra-large polyps

  • Velvet saturation

  • Collector's prize

  • Ultra-grade Micromussa offers exceptionally vivid coloration and dense polyp structure.

  • Requires stable aquarium conditions and careful acclimation for best color retention.

Order Now

$250-600 USD

2
BEST SCOLYMIA CORALS

Rainbow Bleeding Apple Scolymia

Rainbow Bleeding Apple Scolymia
🏠 Local Product

Rainbow Bleeding Apple Scolymia is the market leader for color variety and accessibility, delivering broad appeal through striking multi-hued patterns and a more competitive price point than ultra-premium Australian specimens. In comparison to the ultra-grade and master-grade entries it offers better affordability and easier sourcing for hobbyists expanding collections, while still retaining eye-catching aesthetics that perform well under typical reef lighting. Its financial advantage is lower upfront cost with steady availability, and technically it is known for tolerant acclimation characteristics that reduce early losses.

4.1
★★★★☆
Show More Scolymia Corals
  • Prismatic color bleed

  • Responsive feeder

  • Prismatic color bleed

  • Responsive feeder

Review Summary

82%

"Striking multicolor pattern that many hobbyists rave about and that feeds readily; several users report it can be more fragile during acclimation and may show tissue recession if flow or lighting are incorrect."

  • Rainbow drip spectacle

  • Vivid multicolor patterns with bleeding edges that draw attention.

  • Rainbow drip spectacle

  • Vivid multicolor patterns with bleeding edges that draw attention.

Recreational Enjoyment

Self-Improvement & Personal Growth

Skill Development & Mastery

Rainbow Bleeding Apple Scolymia is the market leader for color variety and accessibility, delivering broad appeal through striking multi-hued patterns and a more competitive price point than ultra-premium Australian specimens. In comparison to the ultra-grade and master-grade entries it offers better affordability and easier sourcing for hobbyists expanding collections, while still retaining eye-catching aesthetics that perform well under typical reef lighting. Its financial advantage is lower upfront cost with steady availability, and technically it is known for tolerant acclimation characteristics that reduce early losses.

  • Prismatic color bleed

  • Responsive feeder

  • Rainbow drip spectacle

  • Vivid multicolor patterns with bleeding edges that draw attention.

  • Does best with moderate light and gentle water movement.

  • Prismatic color bleed

  • Responsive feeder

  • Rainbow drip spectacle

  • Vivid multicolor patterns with bleeding edges that draw attention.

  • Does best with moderate light and gentle water movement.

Order Now

$200-450 USD

3
BEST TRACHYPHYLLIA CORALS

Indo-Pacific Neon Green Trachyphyllia

Indo-Pacific Neon Green Trachyphyllia

The Indo-Pacific Neon Green is notable for intense fluorescence under actinic lighting, giving it unmatched visual impact in reef displays of Trachyphyllia corals. It often sits at a mid-to-high price point driven by demand from aquascapers and photographers, and its lighting-driven appeal provides a strong merchandising advantage over more subtly colored varieties.

4.5
★★★★☆
Show More Trachyphyllia Corals
  • Neon green glow

  • Compact colony grower

  • Neon green glow

  • Compact colony grower

Review Summary

90%

"Owners rave about the neon green glow and quick recovery in stable tanks; some find it sensitive to high light and strong flow."

  • Fluoro-lime sparkle

  • Intense neon green fluorescence that stands out under actinic lighting.

  • Fluoro-lime sparkle

  • Intense neon green fluorescence that stands out under actinic lighting.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

The Indo-Pacific Neon Green is notable for intense fluorescence under actinic lighting, giving it unmatched visual impact in reef displays of Trachyphyllia corals. It often sits at a mid-to-high price point driven by demand from aquascapers and photographers, and its lighting-driven appeal provides a strong merchandising advantage over more subtly colored varieties.

  • Neon green glow

  • Compact colony grower

  • Fluoro-lime sparkle

  • Intense neon green fluorescence that stands out under actinic lighting.

  • Available in smaller frags suited to nano and mixed reef setups.

  • Neon green glow

  • Compact colony grower

  • Fluoro-lime sparkle

  • Intense neon green fluorescence that stands out under actinic lighting.

  • Available in smaller frags suited to nano and mixed reef setups.

Order Now

$250-600 USD

4
BEST CANDY CANE AND DUNCAN CORALS

Ultra Green Candy Cane Coral

ReefBright Aquatics
🏠 Local Product

Ultra Green Candy Cane Coral from ReefBright Aquatics is positioned as a best-in-class Candy Cane for aquarists keeping Candy Cane and Duncan Corals thanks to its consistently bright neon-green coloring and robust growth habit. It outperforms many market offerings by combining easy husbandry and fast attachment to rockwork—delivering lower long-term replacement costs compared with more delicate morphs like the Kryptonite Candy Cane—while still providing the high visual impact collectors seek.

4.3
★★★★☆
Show More Candy Cane and Duncan Corals
  • Vibrant neon green

  • Easy moderate care

  • Vibrant neon green

  • Easy moderate care

Review Summary

87%

"Owners praise the Ultra Green Candy Cane for its striking neon-green coloration and generally hardy nature in moderate reef setups. Some report slower growth under low light, but most are pleased with its feeding response and long-term color retention."

  • Polyp party vibes

  • Vivid neon-green pigmentation that intensifies under actinic/blue-spectrum LED lighting

  • Polyp party vibes

  • Vivid neon-green pigmentation that intensifies under actinic/blue-spectrum LED lighting

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Ultra Green Candy Cane Coral from ReefBright Aquatics is positioned as a best-in-class Candy Cane for aquarists keeping Candy Cane and Duncan Corals thanks to its consistently bright neon-green coloring and robust growth habit. It outperforms many market offerings by combining easy husbandry and fast attachment to rockwork—delivering lower long-term replacement costs compared with more delicate morphs like the Kryptonite Candy Cane—while still providing the high visual impact collectors seek.

  • Vibrant neon green

  • Easy moderate care

  • Polyp party vibes

  • Vivid neon-green pigmentation that intensifies under actinic/blue-spectrum LED lighting

  • Prefers moderate water flow and stable calcium/alkalinity for consistent skeletal growth

  • Vibrant neon green

  • Easy moderate care

  • Polyp party vibes

  • Vivid neon-green pigmentation that intensifies under actinic/blue-spectrum LED lighting

  • Prefers moderate water flow and stable calcium/alkalinity for consistent skeletal growth

Order Now

$120-300 USD

5
BEST CHALICE CORALS

Jason Fox Homewrecker Chalice

Jason Fox
🏠 Local Product

Jason Fox’s Homewrecker Chalice is a market leader recognized for extreme, saturated patterns and collector-grade pedigree, making it the choice for high-impact aquarium showcases among Chalice Corals. Its technical advantage is provenance and selective breeding that produces consistent, intense coloration—traits that command a premium but deliver stronger resale and display value versus commodity frags. Buyers who prioritize rare aesthetics and reputation will find the higher cost justified compared to more budget-friendly options on the list.

4.8
★★★★☆
Show More Chalice Corals
  • Explosive growth habit

  • Intricate lace pattern

  • Explosive growth habit

  • Intricate lace pattern

Review Summary

95%

"The Jason Fox Homewrecker Chalice is viewed as a premium, highly desirable coral with exceptional color and fast growth, though buyers accept a higher price and occasional risk in shipment. Long-term owners report excellent coloration and propagation when given stable water chemistry."

  • Collector's showpiece

  • High-contrast, vibrant color morph prized by collectors and photographers.

  • Collector's showpiece

  • High-contrast, vibrant color morph prized by collectors and photographers.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Jason Fox’s Homewrecker Chalice is a market leader recognized for extreme, saturated patterns and collector-grade pedigree, making it the choice for high-impact aquarium showcases among Chalice Corals. Its technical advantage is provenance and selective breeding that produces consistent, intense coloration—traits that command a premium but deliver stronger resale and display value versus commodity frags. Buyers who prioritize rare aesthetics and reputation will find the higher cost justified compared to more budget-friendly options on the list.

  • Explosive growth habit

  • Intricate lace pattern

  • Collector's showpiece

  • High-contrast, vibrant color morph prized by collectors and photographers.

  • Prefers lower light and gentle flow; avoid direct intense lighting to prevent bleaching.

  • Explosive growth habit

  • Intricate lace pattern

  • Collector's showpiece

  • High-contrast, vibrant color morph prized by collectors and photographers.

  • Prefers lower light and gentle flow; avoid direct intense lighting to prevent bleaching.

Order Now

$250-500 USD

6
BEST MEANDROID BRAIN CORALS

Red and Green Meandroid Brain Coral

Red and Green Meandroid Brain Coral
🏠 Local Product

This Red and Green Meandroid stands out for its striking bi-color contrast and reliability in captive conditions, offering hobbyists a high-impact centerpiece without the premium cost of rarer morphs. It represents the best color-to-value ratio among the listed Meandroid Brain Corals, being hardier and easier to acclimate than the Ultra Grade Rainbow while delivering more vivid coloration than the budget Maze Brain Coral Platygyra. Because of its combination of visual appeal and relatively modest price, it is often the go-to choice for aquarists who want dramatic color without the shipping or provenance premium of the Australian specimens.

4.4
★★★★☆
Show More Meandroid Brain Corals
  • Red-green pop — disco

  • Maze ridges — tactile

  • Red-green pop — disco

  • Maze ridges — tactile

Review Summary

88%

"Buyers commonly report vivid red and green coloration and good long-term survival under stable aquarium conditions, though a few note slight color fade under inadequate lighting. Overall praised for hardiness and eye-catching patterning once acclimated."

  • Easy care — beginner

  • Striking red and green polyp coloration creates high visual contrast as a focal piece in reef displays.

  • Easy care — beginner

  • Striking red and green polyp coloration creates high visual contrast as a focal piece in reef displays.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

This Red and Green Meandroid stands out for its striking bi-color contrast and reliability in captive conditions, offering hobbyists a high-impact centerpiece without the premium cost of rarer morphs. It represents the best color-to-value ratio among the listed Meandroid Brain Corals, being hardier and easier to acclimate than the Ultra Grade Rainbow while delivering more vivid coloration than the budget Maze Brain Coral Platygyra. Because of its combination of visual appeal and relatively modest price, it is often the go-to choice for aquarists who want dramatic color without the shipping or provenance premium of the Australian specimens.

  • Red-green pop — disco

  • Maze ridges — tactile

  • Easy care — beginner

  • Striking red and green polyp coloration creates high visual contrast as a focal piece in reef displays.

  • Requires moderate lighting and stable water flow to maintain color and health.

  • Red-green pop — disco

  • Maze ridges — tactile

  • Easy care — beginner

  • Striking red and green polyp coloration creates high visual contrast as a focal piece in reef displays.

  • Requires moderate lighting and stable water flow to maintain color and health.

Order Now

$100-250 USD

Explore More
  • Acanthastrea Corals
  • Scolymia Corals
  • Trachyphyllia Corals
  • Candy Cane and Duncan Corals
  • Chalice Corals
  • Meandroid Brain Corals

What Research Says About LPS Benefits (Beginner-Friendly Overview)

Scientific studies and reef science reviews help explain why LPS corals are attractive and practical for many hobbyists. Key findings show that LPS species often benefit from mixed nutrition (photosynthesis plus supplemental feeding), have thicker tissues that can buffer short-term stress, and generally need lower-intensity lighting than many SPS corals. These traits translate into easier acclimation, strong coloration when fed, and reliable performance in typical home reef systems.

Heterotrophy and supplemental feeding: Peer-reviewed work (for example, Houlbrque and Ferrier-Pagès 2009) documents that many stony corals take up particulate food and dissolved organic matter; regular targeted feeding can improve growth and coloration in LPS species.

Energy reserves and stress buffering: Studies of coral energy balance (e.g., observations by Grottoli and colleagues) indicate corals that can increase heterotrophic intake or store more tissue energy often show greater resilience after thermal or transport stress, a useful trait for home aquaria and shipping in the USA.

Lower light requirement and tolerance: Compared with many SPS corals, LPS typically thrive under moderate light and moderate flow—conditions easier to maintain with common LED fixtures and standard circulation pumps used by American hobbyists.

Practical implication: Applying these findings means focusing on stable water chemistry, moderate lighting, and consistent targeted feeding will usually yield better growth and color for LPS corals in home tanks.

LPS corals offer a rewarding combination of dramatic color, tactile form, and manageable care that fits many American reef setups in 2025. Whether you are shopping for Acanthastrea, Scolymia, Lobophyllia, Trachyphyllia, Euphyllia, or Duncan, prioritize aquacultured specimens, proper quarantine, and feeding routines for best results. We hope you found the guidance you needed — refine or expand your search using the site search to compare species, local vendors, or care guides for each LPS option.

Discover More
  • Acanthastrea Corals
  • Scolymia Corals
  • Trachyphyllia Corals
  • Candy Cane and Duncan Corals
  • Chalice Corals
  • Meandroid Brain Corals

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