Torch coral

Care at a glance

The torch coral has the longest tentacles of the euphyllias: loose, waving strands with a luminous tip that move in the current like an anemone. Some colour morphs are the most expensive thing enthusiasts put in a reef tank, but an ordinary green or gold torch is very affordable and just as beautiful.

It is very much a place-and-leave coral: once it is happy in a position, do not move it again. Give it moderate, varying flow with no direct jet, and clear space on all sides, because like the hammer coral it burns neighbours away with long sweeper tentacles. Full, well-fed polyps are the sign all is well; persistently retracted polyps point to too much flow, too harsh light or unstable alkalinity.

Good to know

• Potent sting — keep distance in the tank

Related species

• Hammer coralEuphyllia ancora
• MontiporaMontipora sp.
• AcroporaAcropora sp.
• Duncan coralDuncanopsammia axifuga
• Blue xenia (cespitularia)Cespitularia sp.
• Frogspawn coralEuphyllia divisa