Bringing home new live coral is one of the most exciting parts of reef keeping. Whether you're purchasing rare Acropora, colorful torch corals, vibrant zoanthids, or bounce mushrooms, proper acclimation and inspection can make the difference between a thriving reef and unnecessary losses.

At Cuttlefish & Corals, we recommend a simple, proven acclimation process that minimizes stress while helping protect your aquarium from unwanted pests and nuisance algae.

In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know after your live coral shipment arrives.

Why Buying Coral Online Is Better Than Ever

Ordering live coral online gives hobbyists access to a much larger selection than most local fish stores can offer. Whether you're searching for:

• WYSIWYG coral frags
• Acropora frags
• Torch corals
• Zoanthids
• Mushroom corals
• Chalice corals
• Euphyllia
• Micromussa (Acans)
• SPS, LPS, and soft corals

Buying online allows you to choose healthy, aquacultured specimens shipped directly to your door.

The key to success is what happens during the first hour after delivery.

Step 1: Open Your Shipment Immediately

Corals are packaged to remain safe during transit, but they should not stay in the shipping bags longer than necessary.

When your package arrives:

• Open the box immediately.
• Check that all bags remain sealed.
• Verify each coral against your order.
• Inspect for any obvious damage.
• Remove the bags from the insulated packaging.

If your coral arrives with any issues, contact the seller according to their Live Arrival Guarantee.

Step 2: Float the Bags (No Drip Acclimation)

Many reef keepers assume drip acclimation is the best option for every marine animal—but this is not recommended for shipped corals.

During shipping, oxygen levels decrease while carbon dioxide builds up inside the sealed bag. This lowers the water's pH, keeping potentially toxic ammonia in a less harmful form.

Once the bag is opened:

• Oxygen enters the water.
• The pH begins to rise.
• Ammonia quickly becomes more toxic.

A long drip acclimation can expose corals to increasingly toxic water.

Instead:

Recommended Method

1. Float sealed bags for 15–20 minutes.
2. Allow temperatures to equalize.
3. Remove the coral from the shipping water.
4. Discard all shipping water.
5. Move directly into a coral dip.

This reduces stress and avoids prolonged exposure to shipping water.

Step 3: Inspect Every Coral Carefully

Never place a new coral directly into your display aquarium.

Even healthy-looking frags can carry hitchhikers.

Use a flashlight or bright white light and inspect:

Frag Plug

Look around:

• Base of the plug
• Underside
• Crevices
• Glue joints

These areas often hide pests.

Coral Tissue

Look for:

• Bite marks
• Missing flesh
• Eggs
• Flatworms
• Nudibranchs
• Vermetid snails
• Small crabs
• Tiny starfish
• Hydroids

Healthy tissue should appear full, intact, and free of unusual discoloration.

Look for Nuisance Algae

Common unwanted algae include:

• Bubble algae
• Bryopsis
• Hair algae
• Turf algae
• Cyanobacteria
• Dinoflagellate films

Small patches are much easier to remove before they enter your display tank.

Step 4: Remove Unwanted Algae

If you notice nuisance algae on the frag plug:

Manual Removal

Use:

• Tweezers
• Dental pick
• Soft toothbrush
• Coral cutters

Carefully remove algae while avoiding coral tissue.

Many reef hobbyists also choose to remove the original frag plug entirely and remount the coral onto a clean ceramic plug or reef rock. This greatly reduces the chance of introducing pests.

Step 5: Dip Every New Coral

A coral dip is one of the best preventive steps you can take.

Dipping helps remove many common hitchhikers before they enter your reef.

Popular coral dips include:

• CoralRx
• Two Little Fishies Revive
• Brightwell Koral MD
• Lugol's iodine (for certain situations)

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for dosage and dip duration.

Typical Coral Dip Process

1. Prepare clean saltwater.
2. Mix the coral dip according to directions.
3. Place the coral in the solution.
4. Gently agitate with a turkey baster.
5. Watch for pests releasing from the coral.
6. Rinse in clean saltwater.
7. Transfer to the aquarium.

Never pour dip solution into your display tank.

Common Coral Pests to Watch For

Acropora Eating Flatworms (AEFW)

Signs include:

• Bite marks
• Missing tissue
• Brown flatworms
• Egg clusters

Commonly found on Acropora.

Red Bugs

Tiny orange-red crustaceans that irritate Acropora polyps.

Watch for:

• Poor polyp extension
• Reduced coloration

Montipora Eating Nudibranchs

Small white nudibranchs that feed exclusively on Montipora.

Look for:

• White egg spirals
• Missing tissue
• Tiny white slugs

Zoanthid Eating Nudibranchs

These often match the exact color of the zoanthids they consume.

Watch for:

• Closed polyps
• Missing polyps
• Egg spirals

Vermetid Snails

These tube-forming snails release sticky mucus webs that can irritate nearby corals.

Inspect frag plugs carefully.

Aiptasia

One tiny Aiptasia anemone can quickly multiply into dozens.

Remove immediately if discovered.

Majano Anemones

Another pest anemone capable of spreading rapidly throughout a reef aquarium.

Flatworms

Not all flatworms are harmful, but many can reproduce rapidly.

Removing them early prevents future outbreaks.

Should You Quarantine New Corals?

A dedicated coral quarantine tank is strongly recommended, especially if you collect rare or high-end corals.

Benefits include:

• Easier observation
• Multiple dips if needed
• Pest treatment
• Reduced risk to your display aquarium

Even a simple 10–20 gallon quarantine system can save thousands of dollars in livestock.

Step 6: Placement in Your Aquarium

Avoid placing new corals under maximum lighting immediately.

Instead:

• Start on the sand bed or lower rockwork.
• Gradually move upward over 1–2 weeks.
• Allow the coral to adjust to your lighting.

This helps prevent light shock, especially under high-output LEDs.

Monitor Your New Coral

During the first week, watch for:

• Polyp extension
• Tissue recession
• Color improvement
• Feeding response
• Stable placement

Remember that many corals remain closed for a day or two after shipping before fully opening.

Patience is important.

General Coral Care Tips

Healthy corals thrive when water parameters remain stable.

Aim for:

Consistency is far more important than chasing exact numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I drip acclimate corals?

No. For shipped corals, floating the sealed bags for temperature acclimation followed by a coral dip is generally the preferred method. Extended drip acclimation can expose corals to increasingly toxic shipping water.

Do I need to dip aquacultured corals?

Yes. Even aquacultured corals can occasionally carry hitchhikers. Dipping every new coral is good reef-keeping practice.

Can I place new corals directly into my display tank?

It's best to inspect, dip, and ideally quarantine all new corals before introducing them to your display aquarium.

Should I remove the frag plug?

Many experienced reef keepers choose to remove or replace the original frag plug to reduce the chance of introducing nuisance algae, pests, or eggs.

Shop Healthy Live Coral Frags

At Cuttlefish & Corals, we carefully inspect, photograph, and package every coral to help ensure it arrives healthy and ready to thrive in your reef aquarium. From beginner-friendly soft corals to collector-grade WYSIWYG SPS and LPS frags, we're committed to providing healthy livestock backed by expert packing and shipping practices.

Whether you're searching for your first coral frag or adding a showpiece to an established reef, following the acclimation, inspection, and dipping process outlined above will give your new corals the best possible start.