TORCH Corals..................TRICK or TREAT?

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Why in the world would people want torch corals in their reef tanks? I mean they are beautifully colored, sway in the water flow and add cool dimension to a reef tank but that's all. (end sarcasm) Although there are many pros to adding torch corals to your tank there are also some cons like they can reach out an sting other corals and sometimes are troublesome when it comes to keeping them healthy. Let's talk torches!

So when it comes to torch corals are they a Trick or a Treat for you?

What are some tips and tricks for keeping them and helping them to thrive in my tank?

image via @Russo757

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

I absolutely love torches! Ever since I bought my first one 10 years ago they have been my favorite. I love the movement they provide!

They definitely have a potent sting and need a lot of room. In my new tank I'm building a section of rock that juts out specifically to give my torch collection some room. They need at least 6 inches on either side of where you put them. And I have noticed they color up and grow faster with a bit more flow then my hammers and frogspawn like.

 

[exnisstech]

Frogspawn is the only euphylia that that I have been able to keep.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

For me, its always a treat when it comes to torches.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Have found them surprisingly easy. Like everything else, flow, lighting and water stability is key to success.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I’ve only had 2 - an Aussie and an indo.
For all my blunders, the indo always does well even if nothing else does. I had a similar experience with the Aussie until my clowns made it a playground (leading to bjd). I never really had to do anything special for them - my budget setup seems to work well for my euphilia. I just have to get the phosphates down.
They are my favorite type of coral, I gotta get more soon!

 

[KQuillan]

I will be completely honest in my opinion, as I have two. Maybe I am missing something? It's hard to have any other coral around them, and I don't see the brilliant color others do. Mine are plump and healthy, but I just don't see what the big deal is about them. I don't want any other torches. I do like (my) hammers better.

 

[DannoOMG]

I have an incredible hulk torch. It was cheap and hasn't died yet. In fact I think I might be seeing things cause I swear to god a tiny one is growing in the middle of my zoanthid patch. Don't know how that happened.

 

[Bribo12]

I love torches. Wish they weren’t so $$$ but I always have a decent amount in the tank!

 

[Minifoot77]

I got 3 that seam to be growing even after losing 2 heads to I believe brown jelly

 

[Big Smelly fish]

Haven’t done any in a number of years. Pretty much stop when they started giving them all kinds of names and started selling dingle heads.

 

[d2mini]

They are a staple in all my mixed reef tanks.

 

[LeftyReefer]

Frogspawn is the only euphylia that that I have been able to keep.

I'm totally the opposite. I have no issues with torches and hammers, but my one and only frogspawn is the only one I struggle with. I hardly ever looks happy. Torches and hammers grow like crazy, but my frogspawn just sort of survives.

 

[attica38]

I absolutely love torches and the colors and just wow factor they bring to the tank. Sadly, mine are out for all the world to see for about a week and then close up and within probably two to three weeks they are brown jelly. I am not sure what is going on with them. Parameters are great and just sad to see. I love my hammers and frogspawns though......so I will stick with them.

 

[Rickybobby]

they have been very easy for me, grow like weeds, boy do they sting

 

[HBtank]

I will be completely honest in my opinion, as I have two. Maybe I am missing something? It's hard to have any other coral around them, and I don't see the brilliant color others do. Mine are plump and healthy, but I just don't see what the big deal is about them. I don't want any other torches. I do like (my) hammers better.

When you do finally see the nice ones, it makes sense.

 

[kevgib67]

Never had them my previous 16 years in the hobby just frogspawn. They were a must this go around. Would love to have more but the two I have are taking up a lot of rock space. I will be fragging them soon to make more room starting with my NY Knicks that went from one head to six. Anyone in NE Ohio interested let me know.

 

[KQuillan]

Never had them my previous 16 years in the hobby just frogspawn. They were a must this go around. Would love to have more but the two I have are taking up a lot of rock space. I will be fragging them soon to make more room starting with my NY Knicks that went from one head to six. Anyone in NE Ohio interested let me know.

NY Nicks, was the only torch I sadly lost.

 

[LeftyReefer]

Before shot

After shot. My torches grow way faster than anything else. the digi grows fast too.
As you can see, that duncan dwarfed both torches at the time, now both torches are much larger than the duncan, and my green torch grew large enough that it is now stinging the duncan, which is now showing tissue damage on the side of the green torch. The green torch is also now stinging the digi. I've fragged it a few times already too. Going to have to frag the dragon soul soon too.

Still, I love torches and can't stop adding more....
here is my new NY Knicks, purchased a couple weeks ago from a fellow R2R'r.
and a couple recent cuttings from my green torch.

 

[James5214]

Loveeee torches! The movement and flow and life they have. Her s my torch nothing special just a blue or purple torch with white tips this is first salt water tank. It's about 7-8 months old. Also put a video with my branching hammer in it. Love euphyllia