NPS Coral

NPS stands for non-photosynthetic. The Aqua Care Guide™ lists NPS corals as a coral family alongside LPS and SPS corals.

Our Pure Phyto™ page puts the difference simply: photosynthetic corals get much of their energy from zooxanthellae, but “non-photosynthetic (NPS) corals get none of it — they rely entirely on what you feed them.”

Why It’s Important

• Feeding comes first. Going by our Pure Phyto™ page, they rely on what you feed them, not on light.
• Your salt should suit them. Mixed Macro Probiotic Salt™ is formulated for tanks with LPS, SPS and NPS corals.
• The Guide says phytoplankton gives corals many nutrients they can’t get from zooxanthellae alone, and Pure Phyto™ suits all types of coral.

NPS Coral and Related Terms

NPS corals sit beside LPS corals and SPS corals in the Guide. The difference is photosynthesis: photosynthetic corals rely partly on zooxanthellae, and NPS corals don’t.

That makes phytoplankton, broadcast feeding and target feeding central to keeping them. See Feed Smarter — Coral Feeding for Every Coral Type.

The Bottom Line

NPS corals don’t photosynthesize, so what you feed them is what they get. Pure Phyto™ is one place to start.