Gold Torch Coral, Australia
  Rare Gold Torch Coral, Euphyllia glabrescens
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Gold Torch Coral, Australia

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The Golden Torch Coral, Euphylia glabrescens, is an LPS (large polyp stony) species. Australia's metallic Gold Torch Coral has long, flowing polyps extending from the torch's calcified stony base. In a moderate water flow, these corals look a bit like a torch, which is where they get their common name. Torch corals are reported to live in a range of water conditions, from turbid (murky) waters to clear waters with blazingly crips light, suggesting a certain level of adaptability and beginner-friendliness which is likely one reason these corals are great beginner corals. The Torch coral species originates from the Indo-Pacific and the South Pacific regions includingAustralia, Tonga, Fiji, Philippines, Solomon Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, the Red Sea all the way to the Southern tip of Japan.

Difficulty Beginner Level

Aggressiveness The torch coral has potent sweeper tentacles that it will send out to other corals from growing too close and will sting anything within reach with its nematocysts. Because of this, you should take care to ensure that your torch coral has enough room both now and in the future, once the corals in your tank have begun to fill-in the available space.

Water-flow Like most large polyp stony corals, a torch coral benefits from moderate water flow. The polyps will remain retracted and under inflated if the water current is too fast, because the large flowing polyps are prone to rip and tear in high or ultra-high current environments.

Lighting Since the Torch Coral is found in shallow water regions on the reef it requires moderate lighting levels (from PAR 150-250).T5's, Metal Halides, or LED's can all grow Torch Corals when the proper PAR levels are provided. We recommend a 14-20K color spectrum for best coloration. If it will be exposed to brighter lighting it needs to be acclimated to the high output lights in the tank slowly, as it is not usually exposed to intense lighting in the ocean because of its depth. Start out with low lighting, positioning the polyps to face out (versus upwards) and have it shaded by rock or something within the tank. The lighting can gradually get stronger over time, but make the changes very slowly.

Tank Recommendations A mature, well-fed live rock/reef environment is what is needed for your Torch Coral, along with some fish for organic matter production, and dissolved organics. As a general rule, caution should be used when mixing leather coral and large polyp stony coral species, including the torch coral. Large polyp stony corals protect themselves by wielding their sweeper tentacles maliciously. Many of the leather coral species, by comparison produce and release toxic chemicals, called terpenes, into the water to stunt the growth of other species.

Diet and Feeding It is not necessary to feed a torch coral, although they are capable of eating fairly large (by coral standards) meaty foods. The fact that they are biologically able to consume rather large, meaty meals, suggests to me that feeding should be strongly encouraged. However, Euphylia glabrescens could be kept successfully in a reef tank without any feeding at all, as long as adequate lighting is provided, because their symbiotic zooxanthellae will sustain them. If you want to feed, they will eat mysis, fortified brine shrimp, rotifers, Cyclopeeze and other similarly sized meaty foods. Larger pieces than a typical mysis is not digestible, and although the animal "accepts" it, it will regurgitate it up later in the night.

Problems with keeping the torch coral One of the biggest problems I have seen beginner hobbyists have is failing to account for the calcium demand for these corals. If there is insufficient calcium in your aquarium water, these corals will not be able to make their coral skeleton. You should also never lift a torch coral out of the water, if you can avoid it. You could tear the polyps, and torn polyps are prone to infection followed by necrosis (a complete deterioration of the tissue).

Reproduction by fragging and budding Since the torch coral is a branching stony coral species, it is fairly easy to propagate via fragging. You can cut, saw or snap off a branch and it will grown into an entirely new colony all on its own. A torch coral frag should command a premium, compared with some of the most commonly available leather coral species, so it is a great coral to grow and trade with other hobbyists.




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Photos are representative of each species. All marine life will be unique and variations should be expected, color and sizes may vary.