Propagating Branching Frogspawn (Euphyllia paradivisa)

Fragging guide for branching frogspawn, Euphyllia paradivisa, whose tree-like branches make it easier to divide than wall frogspawn, with sweeper-tentacle and brown-jelly cautions.

Overview

Branching frogspawn, Euphyllia paradivisa (Veron, 1990), is a large-polyped stony coral of the family Euphylliidae, also called branching octospawn. It is distinguished from Euphyllia divisa by its tree-like branching skeleton of separate corallites rather than a continuous wall. It is native to the Indo-Pacific, mainly the Coral Triangle, favoring reef environments protected from surface wave action, and its zooxanthellae give it blue-light fluorescence.

Reproductive Mode

The species reproduces sexually in the wild and asexually by colony division. Its branching architecture, with each head sitting on its own corallite, makes it one of the more straightforward Euphyllia to propagate, because heads can be separated along the branches.

Fragging / Asexual Propagation

Because Euphyllia paradivisa grows as branching, separate corallites, fragging is done by cutting between heads along the branch, which usually avoids slicing through living flesh. Each frag keeps a head on its own piece of skeleton, and after dipping and mounting it heals and resumes growth on the new base.

1. Use sterile bone cutters or a rotary tool, with gloves and eye protection.
2. Cut between heads along the skeletal branch, keeping skeleton under each head.
3. Avoid cutting into the polyp flesh wherever possible.
4. Dip and mount the frags, then place them in adequate flow to heal.

Conditions for Propagation

Branching frogspawn frags recover under moderate lighting and moderate flow, with stable alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium and low nutrients. Mirroring the wild preference for areas sheltered from strong wave action, keep fresh frags out of harsh direct current until they have attached.

Sexual Reproduction

Sexual reproduction in Euphyllia is broadcast spawning, with gametes released into the water for external fertilization around lunar cues. This wild route is not practical for aquarium propagation, so branching frogspawn is multiplied in captivity exclusively by fragging.

Common Challenges

Euphyllia deploy long sweeper tentacles armed with stinging cnidocytes, so frags must be spaced away from other corals they could reach. The most serious post-fragging risk is brown jelly disease, which can kill a colony within weeks and spread to neighbors; never frag or place a specimen already showing a brown gel-like coating.