More Questions Than Answers on Torch Identification and Behavior

[Steve2020]

After doing much research I have come to the conclusion that there are MANY different opinions when it comes to Torch Corals. The biggest confusion for me is when I see some people saying that Indo Torch's have thin and long tentacles and that Aussie Torch's have thick and shorter tentacles. They say it as fact as if this is how to tell the difference between the two.
I have been doing research because I will be moving two Torch's ( 1 Indo and 1 Aussie ) from quarantine to main display next week. I will be making 2 Torch gardens, 1 for Aussie and 1 for Indo just to be safe because there is always the potential for fighting from what research I have read.
As for telling the difference between Indo and Aussie, my Indo has thin tentacles but they are shorter than my Aussie which has thicker but longer tentacles. This does not match some of the so called facts that I have read. So is there any for sure way to actually tell the difference besides your LFS/supplier telling you what origin they are?
The last thing I want to do is accidently mix them up and wake up one morning to find out one lost the fight.

Aussie 1 head on the left, Indo 2 heads on the right

 

[KrisReef]

For the sake of discussion, did you import these yourself or were they sold to you as Aussie & Indo?

The other part of the discussion is that polyp extention can change over time. The General rule for Aussie torches being shorter and stubbier might be held up if your Indo torch gets fluffier and more extended than it is in the photos? I'm not disagreeing with you, or trying to argue, just hoping to get a good discussion started. There is a lot to learn about this topic!

Torch experts, Give us your opinions from your experience. What's the differences between Indo and Aussie sorced torch corals?

 

[Steve2020]

For the sake of discussion, did you import these yourself or were they sold to you as Aussie & Indo?

The other part of the discussion is that polyp extention can change over time. The General rule for Aussie torches being shorter and stubbier might be held up if your Indo torch gets fluffier and more extended than it is in the photos? I'm not disagreeing with you, or trying to argue, just hoping to get a good discussion started. There is a lot to learn about this topic!

Torch experts, Give us your opinions from your experience. What's the differences between Indo and Aussie sorced torch corals?

These were sold to me by my LFS which is very reputable here in the Twin Cities. ( Reef Collective ). Talked to one of their Torch experts today and had a great discussion about torch's. We discussed Indo's, Aussie's, Malaysian and Tonga's ( does not recommend Tonga's for some reason ). Also recommended because I have the room to do so, that I separate origins just to be safe from any kind of warfare that possibly could occur. He did talk about polyp extension and explained to me that they can change over time and unless you know their exact origin when harvested you may get an Indo when you think your getting an Aussie especially ones that are similar in color because of the polyp extension discussed earlier. Good thing is with Reef Collective is they know exactly were they come from because they directly import. Not from a whole seller. The only other place I purchase from is Austin Aqua Farms and you Deffinantly know the Torch's origin because Matt owns his own dive companies in Australian and Indonesia so to be safe I will stick with these two.
Also Austin Aqua Farms list on there web page the origin and size of all their corals and all are WYSIWYG which is nice. A lot of other sellers you need to call to actually find out what you are getting.
Thanks for your input KrisReef.

 

[kartrsu]

I know an old thread …. But typically indo torches have smaller polyps versus Australian torches. Their branches tend to be skinnier and they grow / split way faster. Tentacles for both can be long or short depending on conditions (I had an Aussie gold that could put out long tentacles). There tends to be more indo torch varieties than aussies. Personally, I would go indo. They survive better in tanks.