Torch coral
Euphyllia glabrescens
Also known as Euphyllia Torch, Pom Pom Coral
SaltwaterCoral
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 7.9 in
- 20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Very common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Euphylliidae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific
Overview
The most aggressive of the common Euphyllia, its sweepers will sting soft corals, zoanthids and other LPS, so keep about 6 inches of open space around it. Torches do not sting other torches. It draws energy from its zooxanthellae and can be spot fed to help it grow. It is more particular about steady water chemistry than most beginner LPS. Propagated by fragging.
In the wild
Torch corals grow on Indo-Pacific reefs and are named for the long flowing tentacles that end in a bright contrasting tip, giving each polyp a torch-like look. They do best under moderate light around 80 to 150 PAR with moderate, indirect flow that keeps the tentacles gently swaying. Place them on lower to middle rockwork with room around them. Keep temperature 24 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4, and prioritise stable parameters, since torches are more sensitive to swings than hammer or frogspawn.
Good to know
Euphyllia glabrescens is a large polyp stony coral whose polyps each sit on a separate tube of skeleton rather than sharing a wall. Like other Euphyllia it deploys sweeper tentacles armed with nematocysts that can reach several inches at night. It is considered the most aggressive of the commonly kept Euphyllia.
Did you know
Torch coral prices exploded in the hobby over the past decade, with certain named color morphs like the Indo Gold Torch fetching hundreds of dollars per head.
Common questions
What size tank does a Torch coral need?
A Torch coral needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Torch coral need?
A Torch coral is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Torch coral get?
An adult Torch coral reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).
Related species
7.9 in (20 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Branching frogspawn coral
Fimbriaphyllia paradivisa
7.9 in (20 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Branching hammer coral
Fimbriaphyllia paraancora
7.9 in (20 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Frogspawn coral
Fimbriaphyllia divisa
7.9 in (20 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Hammer coral
Fimbriaphyllia ancora
7.9 in (20 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Octospawn coral
Fimbriaphyllia yaeyamaensis
7.9 in (20 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Elegance coral
Catalaphyllia jardinei
11.8 in (30 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)