Torch Coral Reproduction

[ReeferDVM]

Hello everyone. I have a 150g mixed reef aquarium that has been up and running for about 3.5 years. I purchased a torch coral about 2.5 years ago and placed it on my sand bed. I liked it so much that I purchased another and placed it on my rock about 1.5 years ago. They have both done very well and have grown. I don’t target feed them but use Red Sea Reef nutrition about 2-3 times weekly into the tank. They are both on the same side of my aquarium but not near each other.

About a month ago I noticed small tentacles peeking out of a rock on the other side of the aquarium. Over the months time it has grown to the size of about a quarter. This was a dry rock when it was placed in the aquarium so I know it wasn’t brought in on the rock.

Has anyone else had this experience? I’ve read about them spawning but heard it’s very rare for them to reproduce this way.

I’ve attached pics of all 3.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Not sure what that is, but in my experience, euphyllia I've owned never have reproduced that way.

They always split heads.

My torch garden.

 

[Dolelo96]

Mine has always split heads

 

[cloak]

I've never had this happen to a Torch coral before, but I have had it happen to a Favia. I believe it's called "Dripping." The article below might help.

Coral Reproduction, Part Two: Asexual Reproductive Modes of Captive Corals and Anemones

As we shall see, almost every detail of the captive breeding system must be deliberately engineered to consistently and reliably obtain the desired results.

reefs.com

 

[Lunardogz]

It’s not that common for them to spawn like that, but it does occur. My buddy gold torch does that all over his tank.

 

[ReeferDVM]

Not sure what that is, but in my experience, euphyllia I've owned never have reproduced that way.

They always split heads.

My torch garden.

Not sure what that is, but in my experience, euphyllia I've owned never have reproduced that way.

They always split heads.

My torch garden.

Beautiful! It was hard to get a picture of the little one since it’s facing the backside of my tank but it looks exactly like the torches. I can’t wait to see it grow and figure out exactly what it is! Thank you.

 

[ReeferDVM]

I've never had this happen to a Torch coral before, but I have had it happen to a Favia. I believe it's called "Dripping." The article below might help.

Coral Reproduction, Part Two: Asexual Reproductive Modes of Captive Corals and Anemones

As we shall see, almost every detail of the captive breeding system must be deliberately engineered to consistently and reliably obtain the desired results.

reefs.com

Very interesting article. Thank you!

 

[Slim64684]

Not a torch but a frogspawn. Randomly had a piece sitting just below my "colony" ( was only 2 heads). Moved it to the rock and a few months later I have this

The one I found is the frogspawn higher up on the rock.

Also saw this blowing around the other day