- Stony corals: These corals have hard, calcium carbonate skeletons and are the main builders of coral reefs. They include brain corals, star corals, and elkhorn corals.

- Gorgonians: These corals are a subgroup of soft corals that have a central axis of support. They are often fan-shaped or tree-like and sway with the water currents. They include sea fans, sea whips, and sea rods.

- Zoanthids: These corals are small, colorful polyps that form mats or clusters on rocks or other surfaces. They have a symbiotic relationship with algae that provide them with nutrients and color.

- Mushrooms: These corals are soft-bodied polyps that resemble mushrooms or anemones. They can be solitary or colonial and come in various colors and patterns. They can reproduce by budding or splitting.

- Deep-sea corals: These corals live in cold, dark waters below the reach of sunlight. They do not have symbiotic algae and rely on capturing food from the water. They include black corals, bamboo corals, and bubblegum corals.