Frogspawn Coral (Euphyllia divisa) Care Guide
Euphyllia divisa is an Indo-Pacific LPS coral with bulbous multi-tipped tentacles resembling frog eggs; kept under moderate reef parameters.
Overview
Euphyllia divisa (reclassified as Fimbriaphyllia divisa in 2017) is an LPS coral in the family Euphylliidae, distributed across the Indo-Pacific. Polyps have bulbous, multi-tipped tentacles that resemble frog eggs, hence the common name. The IUCN currently lists the species as Near Threatened.
Taxonomy
- Family: Euphylliidae
- Genus: Euphyllia (current trade name) / Fimbriaphyllia (2017 revision)
- Scientific name: Euphyllia divisa
- Common names: Frogspawn, Octospawn, Wall Frogspawn
- Skeleton: flabello-meandroid wall structure
Habitat
Native to Australia, Southeast Asia, the Ryukyu Islands, East China Sea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Palau, typically inhabiting reef slopes and lagoon walls. A related species, Fimbriaphyllia paradivisa, is morphologically similar but has separately branched corallites.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank maturity: 3 months
- Temperature: 24-26 C (75-79 F)
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 SG
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Alkalinity: 8-11 dKH
- Calcium: 400-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Phosphate max: 0.03 ppm
- Nitrate max: 5 ppm
- Lighting: 75-175 PAR (medium)
- Flow: medium and indirect
Placement
Place in the lower-to-mid reef in moderate, turbulent but indirect flow. Keep 10-15 cm of clearance from non-Euphyllia neighbours due to long stinging sweeper tentacles. Frogspawn tolerates close proximity to other Euphyllia/Fimbriaphyllia species (Hammer, Torch).
Feeding
Photosynthetic via zooxanthellae; benefits from spot-feeding 1-2 times per week with mysis, brine shrimp, reef-roids or amino acids. Polyps fully extend in lower-flow conditions, which is when feeding is most effective.