What Do You Feed Corals – The Ultimate Guide To Vibrant Growth

Keeping a reef tank is one of the most rewarding challenges in the aquarium hobby. We all dream of those fluorescent colors and lush growth patterns seen in professional displays. However, many beginners feel overwhelmed when they realize that corals aren’t just “underwater plants.”

You might be wondering if your lighting is enough, or if you need to be adding “magic potions” to the water every night. Don’t worry—this setup is perfect for beginners, and once you understand the basics of coral nutrition, you’ll see your reef thrive like never before.

In this comprehensive guide, we are going to break down exactly what do you feed corals, how often you should do it, and the best techniques to keep your water clean while your corals stay full. By the end of this article, you’ll have a professional-grade feeding schedule tailored to your specific tank needs.

Understanding Coral Biology: Why Do They Need Food?

To answer the question of what do you feed corals, we first have to understand that corals are animals, not plants. They belong to the phylum Cnidaria, making them close relatives of jellyfish and sea anemones. Because they are animals, they require energy to grow, repair tissues, and reproduce.

The Power of Photosynthesis

Most of the corals we keep in our home aquaria are hermatypic, meaning they contain symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae. These tiny algae live inside the coral’s tissue and use sunlight to produce sugars through photosynthesis.

In a healthy tank, these algae can provide up to 90% of the coral’s nutritional needs. This is why high-quality LED reef lighting is so important. However, that remaining 10% (or more for certain species) must come from external sources.

Heterotrophic Feeding: The “Meat” Eaters

If photosynthesis provides the “calories,” then external feeding provides the “vitamins and proteins.” Corals use their stinging tentacles (nematocysts) to catch passing prey in the water column. This process is known as heterotrophic feeding.

By providing external food, you are giving your corals the amino acids and nitrogen they need to build their calcium carbonate skeletons. Without this, corals might survive, but they will rarely reach their full growth potential or vibrant coloration.

What Do You Feed Corals? Types of Food for Every Reef

When you walk into a local fish store, the shelf of coral foods can be intimidating. To simplify things, we can categorize coral food into four main types: phytoplankton, zooplankton, liquid/powdered foods, and meaty foods.

Phytoplankton (Microscopic Algae)

Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that float in the ocean. While many corals don’t eat phytoplankton directly, it is an essential part of the reef ecosystem. It feeds the tiny organisms (like copepods) that your corals do eat.

Soft corals, such as Gorgonians and clams, are the primary consumers of phytoplankton in the aquarium. Adding live phytoplankton can also help reduce nitrates and phosphates by outcompeting “bad” algae for nutrients.

Zooplankton (The Tiny Hunters)

Zooplankton consists of tiny animals like rotifers, copepods, and Artemia (brine shrimp). This is the primary natural food source for most corals in the wild. If you have Small Polyp Stony (SPS) corals, they rely heavily on these microscopic animals.

Many hobbyists prefer using frozen zooplankton blends. These are easy to store and provide a dense protein source that triggers a strong feeding response in almost all coral types.

Liquid and Powdered Coral Foods

Commercial powdered foods, such as Reef Roids or Benepets, have revolutionized the hobby. These are engineered to have the perfect particle size for coral polyps to grab. They are often packed with concentrated amino acids and fatty acids.

When asking what do you feed corals for maximum color, these specialized powders are often the answer. They stay suspended in the water column longer, giving the corals more time to “filter” them out of the water.

Meaty Pellets and Frozen Seafood

Large Polyp Stony (LPS) corals, like Acanthastrea (Acans) or Scolymia, have large “mouths” and can eat much bigger portions. You can feed them mysis shrimp, chopped krill, or specialized coral pellets. Watching a Scoly fold over a piece of shrimp is one of the most exciting parts of the reef-keeping hobby!

Feeding Methods: Target vs. Broadcast

Knowing what do you feed corals is only half the battle; you also need to know how to get the food to them. There are two primary methods used by successful aquarists.

The Precision of Target Feeding

Target feeding involves using a turkey baster, a large syringe, or a specialized feeding tool to gently puff food directly onto the coral’s polyps. This is the most efficient way to feed because it ensures the coral actually gets the nutrients.

To do this effectively, turn off your flow pumps and wavemakers for about 15-20 minutes. This allows the food to settle on the coral without being blown away. It also prevents your protein skimmer from removing the food before the corals can eat it.

The Convenience of Broadcast Feeding

Broadcast feeding is the “scattergun” approach. You simply mix your coral food into a cup of tank water and pour it into a high-flow area of the aquarium. The current carries the food to every corner of the tank.

This method is great for tanks with a high density of corals or for Small Polyp Stony (SPS) corals that are too numerous to feed individually. The downside is that it can lead to excess nutrients and algae growth if you aren’t careful with your water changes.

Specialized Diet by Coral Type (LPS, SPS, Softies)

Not all corals have the same appetite. To be a successful “reef gardener,” you should tailor your feeding strategy to the specific inhabitants of your tank.

Large Polyp Stony (LPS) Corals

LPS corals, such as Torches, Hammers, and Brain corals, are the “heavy hitters” of the feeding world. They have large, fleshy polyps and distinct mouths. They prefer meaty foods like mysis shrimp or high-protein pellets.

Pro Tip: Feed your LPS corals 1-2 times a week at night when their feeder tentacles are fully extended. You will see much faster growth and better “puffiness” in the tissue.

Small Polyp Stony (SPS) Corals

SPS corals, like Acropora and Montipora, have very tiny polyps. They cannot eat a whole shrimp! Instead, they thrive on micro-plankton, amino acids, and very fine powdered foods. For these corals, water quality is just as important as food.

They often benefit more from daily “light” feedings of liquid amino acids rather than one large weekly meal. This mimics the constant flow of nutrients they would receive on a natural reef crest.

Soft Corals and Polyps

Soft corals, like Leathers, Zoanthids, and Xenia, are often the easiest to care for. Many soft corals are actually absorptive feeders, meaning they can take in dissolved organic compounds directly from the water. They love phytoplankton and organic “mulm” that floats around the tank.

Managing Water Quality While Feeding

The biggest mistake beginners make when asking what do you feed corals is overfeeding. In a closed aquarium system, any food that isn’t eaten by the corals will rot. This leads to a spike in Ammonia, Nitrates, and Phosphates.

Avoiding Nutrient Spikes

High phosphates can stunt coral growth and lead to an outbreak of hair algae or cyanobacteria. To prevent this, always monitor your water parameters with a reliable test kit. If your nitrates start climbing above 20ppm, it’s time to scale back the feeding or increase your water changes.

The Role of Protein Skimmers

A good protein skimmer is your best friend when feeding corals. It removes dissolved organic waste before it can break down into toxic chemicals. Remember to turn your skimmer off for an hour after feeding so it doesn’t immediately pull out all the expensive food you just added!

Top 5 Tips for Successful Coral Feeding

1. Consistency is Key: It is better to feed small amounts frequently than a massive amount once a month.
2. Watch the Fish: Your fish will often try to steal food from your corals. You can “distract” the fish by feeding them on one side of the tank while you target feed the corals on the other.
3. Nighttime is Prime Time: Many corals naturally extend their tentacles at night to avoid predators. Try feeding an hour after the lights go out.
4. Keep it Fresh: If using frozen food, never thaw it in tap water. Always use RO/DI water or water from the aquarium to preserve the nutritional value.
5. Observe the Response: If a coral retracts its polyps when food touches it, you might be spraying too hard. Be gentle!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I have to feed my corals?

Strictly speaking, many corals can survive on light alone if your aquarium has a high enough fish load (fish waste provides some nutrients). However, they will grow much slower and look less vibrant. Feeding is highly recommended for a thriving reef.

How often should I feed my corals?

For most mixed reef tanks, feeding 2-3 times a week is the “sweet spot.” If you have a very clean, low-nutrient system (ULNS), you might need to feed daily to prevent the corals from starving.

Can I overfeed my corals?

You can’t really “overstuff” a coral, but you can overload your filtration. The danger isn’t the coral eating too much; it’s the leftover food decaying in the sand and rocks.

What is the best time of day to feed?

While you can feed anytime, evening or night is best. This is when corals naturally “hunt.” You’ll notice much better polyp extension once the main lights dim down to a blue “actinic” glow.

Do corals eat fish poop?

Yes! In a reef tank, fish waste is a significant source of nitrogen and phosphorus for corals. This is why a “fishless” reef tank is actually much harder to maintain than one with a healthy fish population.

Conclusion

Understanding what do you feed corals is a journey of observation and adjustment. There is no “one size fits all” answer because every reef tank has a unique biological load and coral composition. The key is to start slow, use high-quality foods like zooplankton and amino acids, and always keep an eye on your water chemistry.

Remember, a well-fed coral is a resilient coral. By providing the right nutrients, you are helping your aquatic friends build strong skeletons and resist diseases. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different brands and types of food until you find what makes your specific corals “pop.”

If you found this guide helpful, be sure to check out our other articles on Aquifarm about reef tank lighting and water chemistry. Happy reefing, and may your polyps always be extended!