Octopus coral (branching frogspawn)

Care at a glance

The octopus coral is the branching form of frogspawn coral: instead of one wall-like head it carries separate branches, each with its own bundle of polyps. Those long, tassel-shaped tentacles sway constantly in the flow.

It is one of the most rewarding large-polyp stony corals, under moderate light and moderate flow, but it stings: at night it extends long sweeper tentacles that can burn neighbouring corals. So keep at least a hand's width of space all around it.

Good to know

• Potent sting — keep distance in the tank

Related species

• Candy cane coralCaulastraea furcata
• Frogspawn coralEuphyllia divisa
• AnacroporaAnacropora sp.
• Favia brain coralFavia sp.
• Acan coralMicromussa lordhowensis
• AcroporaAcropora sp.