Types of Live Rock

"Live rock" refers to rocks transplanted from the ocean to an aquarium environment. These rocks generally come with small sea life—such as sponges, algae, worms or starfish—attached. Aquarium owners often use live rock in reef aquariums, as the rocks' helpful bacteria assists water filtration. Hobbyists and professionals generally differentiate types of live rock based on the area of its origin; these rocks possess different biological characteristics and varying colorful aesthetics.

  1. Caribbean Live Rock

    • Caribbean live rock is generally composed of coral heads crusted over with coralline algae—colorful red calcium-based algae. Sea life including sponges, tunicates and macroalgae also encrust Caribbean live rock, giving it a green, pink or purple coloration. The open areas of Caribbean live rock's composition create improved water circulation in aquariums. This live rock type possess an easy-to-handle light weight and a bright natural appearance. Florida varieties of Caribbean live rock come in forms much denser than other live rock types. Caribbean live rock thrives in moderate temperatures—between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit—and takes well to supplements such as calcium, iodine, strontium and trace elements.

    Fiji Live Rock

    • Originating in the reefs of Fiji, this type of live rock is extremely porous. Fiji live rock's lightweight composition makes it very well suited for water filtration purposes. According to Pet Education, Fiji live rock also serves as a great foundation for aquarium corals. This variety of live rock comes in pink, purple and red colors and thrives in moderate waters. Calcium, iodine, strontium and trace elements make good supplements for Fiji live rock.

    Nano Live Rock

    • Nano live rock originates from the oceans of Indonesia and the South Pacific. Branching pieces, oblong shapes and oval forms characterize these semi-dense rock types, which are often fully covered in various varieties of coralline algae. Nano live rocks occur in green, pink, purple, red and yellow hues. These live rocks bring a bevy of benefits to aquarium environments, including reduction of cycling times—the time it takes to create a helpful bacteria presence in new aquarium water—increased biological filtration and maintenance of a stable environment. Hobbyists often use Nano live rock in small “nano type” reef aquariums or as a base for small corals.

    Bali Live Rock

    • Bali live rock from Bali and Indonesia comes in Alor and Blue Ridge varieties, the latter of which is encrusted with the blue coral heliopora and known for its fragility. Bali live rock comes in reddish orange and purple varieties, the latter of which is sometimes dubbed “Purple Popcorn” for its bubbly texture. As Bali live rock generally comes in heavy large slabs, it is well-suited as a coral rock head for big aquariums.