Not furry either, still lovely.
Torch Coral
Euphyllia glabrescens (Chamisso & Eysenhardt, 1821)
Also called Euphyllia, Glabrastrea glabrescens (name given in worklist; not found in WoRMS on retrieval)
From Indo-Pacific, including Indonesia, Fiji, Australia, Southeast Asia, southern Japan, Micronesia and American Samoa; less common in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, northern Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf.1
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Large-polyp stony coral (LPS)
A stony coral with thin, sharp-edged skeleton tubes, each topped by a polyp with long, flowing tentacles that end in rounded knobs. In the current it looks like a bunch of waving torches.12
Personality what they are like
A graceful coral with an assertive side: at night it puts out sweeper tentacles that can sting corals several centimetres away, so it is rated aggressive.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Sessile; its tentacles sway constantly in the water flow.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Moderate care. Needs excellent water quality and regular calcium, strontium, magnesium and trace-element top-ups. Leave generous space around it.2
Home where they are happiest
A reef aquarium with moderate light and medium flow, placed near the bottom. Stable reef-aquarium water: about 22-26 C (72-78 F), pH 8.1-8.4, alkalinity 8-12 dKH, specific gravity 1.023-1.025.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Gets much of its energy from symbiotic algae and benefits from a weekly feed of micro-plankton or brine shrimp.2
Company who they like around
A colonial coral that needs its own space away from other sessile animals.2
The story where it all began
Chamisso and Eysenhardt described the torch coral in 1821, and the species has collected many synonyms through later revisions. It lives on many kinds of reef from 1 to 35 m deep and is one of the most commonly kept stony corals in marine aquariums.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Torch corals live from just 1 m deep down to about 35 m.1
- 2
Many colonies are two-toned, with tentacle tips in a different colour from the stalk.1
- 3
At night it extends extra-long sweeper tentacles packed with stinging cells to defend its space.1
- 4
Most torch corals in the hobby come from Indonesia and Fiji.1
Recognised by the official bits
- WoRMS
- Euphyllia glabrescens (Chamisso & Eysenhardt, 1821) is the accepted name. A search for the genus name Glabrastrea returned no match.3
- IUCN Red List (via Wikipedia)
- Least Concern.1
Popularity Indonesia exported about 28,000 and Fiji about 6,000 specimens per year for the aquarium trade.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Torch Coral. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingDepends on species, many feed from the light and the watervaries
- Salinity checkevery week
- Water testevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Light checkevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Torch Coral?
Your Torch Coral gets most of its energy from the light, but a weekly feed of micro-plankton or brine shrimp is a nice treat. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding depends on the species, so check with your vet or a good breeder for the best schedule.2 Furry Diary plan
What does a Torch Coral eat, and what should it never eat?
It eats micro-plankton or brine shrimp once a week, and gets energy from symbiotic algae. Never feed it large or meaty foods that could rot and foul the water.2
How much space does a Torch Coral need?
Give it generous space away from other corals, as it puts out stinging sweeper tentacles at night that can reach several centimetres. A reef aquarium with moderate light and medium flow near the bottom works well.12
What temperature, light or water does a Torch Coral need?
It needs stable reef-aquarium water at 22-26 C (72-78 F), pH 8.1-8.4, alkalinity 8-12 dKH, and specific gravity 1.023-1.025. Moderate light and medium flow are ideal, and Furry Diary's plan includes weekly salinity and water tests.2 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Torch Coral's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests a 10-20% water change every two weeks, and daily top-ups with fresh RO water. Weekly water tests and monthly light checks help keep conditions stable. Furry Diary plan
Can a Torch Coral live with others?
It is rated aggressive because its sweeper tentacles can sting corals several centimetres away, so it needs its own space. It can live with fish and other mobile animals, but keep it away from other sessile corals.12
How long does a Torch Coral live?
With excellent water quality and proper care, it can live for many years, but exact lifespan varies. Ask your vet or a good breeder for more specific guidance.
Can I handle a Torch Coral?
It is best not to handle it, as its skeleton has thin, sharp edges and its tentacles can sting. Enjoy watching it sway in the current instead.12
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Euphyllia glabrescens (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for range, depth, size, colours, description, history, trade figures, conservation, fun facts
- Torch Coral (LiveAquaria care sheet) liveaquaria.comused for care, light, flow, placement, water values, colours, feeding, sweeper tentacles
- WoRMS taxon search: Euphyllia glabrescens marinespecies.orgused for accepted name
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.