orch Coral (Euphyllia glabrescens) in the Wild
Distribution: Indo-Pacific — commonly in the waters of Indonesia, Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef.
Habitat:
Found on lagoon slopes and sheltered reef areas at depths of ~5–35 m.
Thrive in moderate water flow environments where food and oxygen are carried past them.
Appearance:
Long, flowing tentacles with bulbous or torch-like tips (hence the name).
Colors range from brown and green to gold, orange, purple, and neon shades.
Behavior:
Tentacles extend well beyond their base to maximize feeding and defense.
Contain zooxanthellae (algae) for photosynthesis but also capture plankton and particulate matter.
Threats:
Overharvesting for the aquarium trade (though mariculture is reducing this).
Climate change, bleaching, and habitat destruction.
Natural predators include some butterflyfish and coral-eating starfish.
🐠 Torch Coral Care in the Aquarium
1. Placement & Lighting
Prefer moderate lighting (PAR ~75–150).
Torch corals can adapt, but too much light causes bleaching or retraction.
Place mid to lower areas of the tank; acclimate slowly to higher light if needed.
2. Water Flow
Need moderate, swaying flow.
Tentacles should gently sway like in a current — avoid strong, direct flow that could tear tissue.
3. Water Parameters
Temperature: 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
Salinity: 1.024–1.026 SG
pH: 8.1–8.4
Alkalinity: 8–9.5 dKH
Calcium: 400–450 ppm
Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
Nitrates/Phosphates: Low but not sterile (nitrate ~2–10 ppm, phosphate ~0.03–0.1 ppm).
4. Feeding
While they get energy from light, they grow faster if fed.
Accept small meaty foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and reef roids.
Feed 1–2 times per week, preferably when tentacles are extended.
5. Aggression & Placement
Torch corals are very aggressive with long sweeper tentacles (up to 6 in/15 cm).
Can sting nearby corals — give ample spacing (at least 15–20 cm / 6–8 in).
Interestingly, they often tolerate other Euphyllia (like hammers and frogspawns), but not always — monitor closely.
6. Growth & Fragging
Growth rate: moderate.
Branching torches can be fragged by cutting branches at the skeleton.
Wall-type torches are harder to frag and more prone to infection.
7. Common Issues
Brown Jelly Disease: A bacterial infection that can spread rapidly; remove infected heads immediately.
Polyp Bail-out: Stress response where polyps detach — usually due to unstable parameters or excessive flow.
Recession: Can happen if calcium/alk/magnesium are unbalanced or if nutrients are stripped too low.