Have you ever been fascinated by coral reefs after watching a video about them or having the good fortune to see one while scuba diving or snorkelling? Anyone, from the casual observer to the ardent enthusiast, can find great enjoyment in the wonderful hobby of reef keeping.
Marine invertebrates belonging to the phylum Cnidaria include corals. They are colonial animals, made up of isolated polyps that group together to form colonies. Corals and jellyfish are actually related because they are both members of the ancient cnidarian order, which includes creatures with stinging tentacles of varying degrees of potency. Corals can be found in shallow tropical waters, deep ocean waters, and now many aquarium hobbyists' homes as well!
Corals are a fantastic way to brighten up your aquarium, bring a piece of the ocean into your home or office, or simply demonstrate your aquarium-keeping prowess, whether you are an aquarium enthusiast or a beginning hobbyist.
Hard and Soft Corals.
Polyps that makeup corals are all genetically identical. An individual unit of the structure known as a polyp has tentacles with nematocysts on one end that attach to the skeleton (stinging cells).
Scleractinian and stony corals are hard corals (LPS & SPS)
Calcium carbonate forms the hard skeleton of hard corals (CaCO3). Their exoskeleton is left behind when they pass away.
Hard corals play a crucial role in creating reefs because of their skeletons. After they pass away, their skeletons are left behind and, as they calcify and decompose, eventually form live rock, allowing other corals to colonize on top.
Small polyp stony corals are also known as SPS and LPS, respectively. These corals have many similarities and differences despite sharing similar names!
Similarities
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All belong to the Scleractinia order.
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When creating their skeletons, they both absorb calcium from the water.
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Both of them have polyp-containing soft tissues.
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The majority of them contain photosynthetic zooxanthellae.
Differences
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Large fleshy polyps are found on LPS corals.
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LPS corals typically need a calm, slow water flow.
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LPS corals typically have a powerful sting.
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LPS corals are typically simpler to maintain.
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In general, LPS corals are more aggressive.
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The polyps on SPS corals are smaller.
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SPS Coral requires a stronger flow than other corals.
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SPS corals are less capable of stinging.
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SPS corals are typically more demanding to maintain.
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There are some exceptions, such as Montipora, but most SPS Corals in Canada have a more "stick-like" appearance.
Conclusion
So in this blog, we discussed some of the major similarities and differences between the SPS and LPS corals and brief detail on them as well. To buy a coral of any LPS and SPS Corals in Canada variety, buy it from Frag Garage.
Kevin Astle is the author of this article. To know more details about SPS Corals in Canada please visit our website: fraggarage.ca
