How To Tell Your Corals Are Healthy

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How to Tell if Your Coral Is Healthy in a Living Oceans Aquarium

One of the most rewarding parts of owning a Living Oceans Aquarium is watching your corals grow and change over time. As they settle into the reef, you'll notice differences in colour, size, and behaviour that reflect the health of your aquarium.

For new reef keepers, it's natural to wonder whether these changes are normal or a sign that something is wrong. The key is learning your corals' natural behaviour before assuming they need intervention.

Healthy Corals Look Alive and Active

The first indicator of coral health is visual observation.

Healthy corals typically display vibrant colour, good tissue expansion, and steady growth. As you spend more time with your aquarium, you'll begin to recognise the daily routines of each coral species and notice when something appears out of the ordinary.

Growth is another encouraging sign. If your corals are gradually increasing in size and maintaining strong colouration, it's usually a good indication that they're thriving in their environment.

Leather Corals Have a Unique Growth Cycle

If you own Leather Corals, don't be alarmed if they occasionally close up for several days.

Unlike many other coral species, leather corals naturally retract as part of their growth cycle. During this time, they often develop a thin, waxy coating across their surface before shedding it, much like a snake sheds its skin.

This process helps remove accumulated debris, algae, and other particles that settle on the coral. Once the shedding is complete, the coral will usually reopen with fuller polyp extension and a refreshed appearance.

Understanding this behaviour is one of the most important parts of keeping soft corals successfully. What looks concerning at first is often a completely normal part of their natural lifecycle.

Learn Your Coral's Daily Routine

Most corals follow predictable patterns throughout the day.

Many species extend their polyps during daylight hours and retract at night as part of their normal biological rhythm. Once you become familiar with these daily changes, you'll find it much easier to recognise behaviour that falls outside the norm.

Rather than reacting to every small change, observe your corals over several days. Consistent patterns are usually far more informative than a single moment in time.

When Algae Starts Growing on Corals

One thing you don't want to see is excessive algae beginning to grow directly on your corals.

Hair algae can prevent corals from receiving the light and water flow they need, while also indicating that excess nutrients are available within the aquarium. If you notice algae beginning to cover a coral, it's worth investigating the underlying cause rather than simply removing the visible growth.

Often, elevated nutrients can be traced back to something unexpected, such as a deceased Snail, deteriorating coral tissue, or another source of decaying organic matter hidden within the aquarium.

Algae Isn't Always the Enemy

Although most aquarium owners dislike seeing algae, it's important to understand the role it plays within the ecosystem.

Algae grows because nutrients are available, and in doing so, it actively absorbs those nutrients from the water. In other words, algae is responding to a problem rather than creating it.

A small amount of algae is completely normal in a healthy reef aquarium. In fact, it provides a natural food source for members of your Clean Up Crew, helping support the balance of the aquarium.

The goal isn't to eliminate every trace of algae, but to prevent excessive growth by addressing the source of the nutrients.

Healthy Corals Begin with a Healthy Reef

Coral health is closely linked to the overall condition of your aquarium.

A mature Living Blocks Reef System, an active Clean Up Crew, stable water quality, and healthy Coral Livestock all work together to create an environment where corals can flourish. Rather than focusing on individual symptoms, it's always worth considering the health of the reef as a whole.

By observing your corals regularly, learning their natural behaviours, and responding early to genuine changes, you'll develop the confidence to distinguish between normal coral behaviour and signs that require attention. That's one of the most valuable skills any successful reef keeper can learn.