SPS
From RTAW Reefpedia
Contents |
Introduction
The term SPS is an abbreviation for Small Polyp Stony, Small Polyped Stony, Small Polyp Scleractinian or some variation of those. So it only applies to the stony corals, members of the Scleractinia order. It is a construct entirely from within the marine aquarium hobby, you will not find the term discussed or mentioned by any scientist that studies corals. The classification is simply based on the size of the coral polyp, it has nothing to do with the care or requirements of the coral themselves. The generalisation that is typically heard is that SPS corals require high light intensity and lots of water movement. Why this may be true for some of the species of corals that have small polyps, it is definitely not of all.
Typical corals grouped into SPS are:
See also LPS, which is an abbreviation for Large Polyp Stony.
Gallery
 Acropora sp. |
 Montipora sp. |
