In marine aquaristics, the term ‘LPS corals’ (large polyp stony corals) is used to describe stony corals with larger polyps. This contrasts with SPS (small polyp stony corals), which have polyps measuring only 1–2 mm. LPS corals include numerous genera of stony corals from a wide variety of habitats with different living requirements.

LPS corals have fleshy polyps that are usually open at night to capture zooplankton. This normally covers a larger proportion of their food supply than their small-polyp relatives. Therefore, most LPS corals—unlike the more light-hungry SPS corals—can cope with less light, and some species have no zooxanthellae at all (azooxanthellate)—they feed exclusively on plankton or detritus. LPS corals can therefore also be fed at night.

It is often said that LPS corals are easier to care for than SPS corals, but this generalization is incorrect. There are many robust LPS corals that can tolerate higher nutrient concentrations and fluctuating water parameters, but there are also very sensitive species.

 Pavona, Euphyllia, Fimbriaphyllia, Galaxea, Alveopora, Goniopora, Favites, Goniastrea, Platygyra, Duncanopsammia, Turbinaria, Acanthastrea, Micromussa, Blastomussa, Cyphastrea, Leptastrea, Caulastraea, Echinophyllia, Hydnophora, Lobophyllia, Mycedium, Pachyseris, Physogyra, Echinopora, Oulophyllia and Merulina.