Octospawn (Euphyllia yaeyamaensis) Propagation Guide

Propagating the Octospawn (Euphyllia yaeyamaensis), a branching frogspawn relative, by fragging between heads, with sweeper-tentacle and brown-jelly cautions and a note on its reclassification to Fimbriaphyllia.

Overview

The Octospawn is the branching frogspawn relative traded as Euphyllia yaeyamaensis, named for eight-pointed star tentacle tips. According to Wikipedia, this species has been taxonomically reclassified into the genus Fimbriaphyllia (as Fimbriaphyllia yaeyamaensis, thick branched frogspawn coral); the name Euphyllia yaeyamaensis remains in wide aquarium use. It is a large-polyped stony coral with a branching skeleton.

Reproductive Mode

Aquarium propagation is asexual by fragmentation. As a branching frogspawn-type coral, individual heads sit on separate branches of skeleton, so colonies are divided into single- or multi-head frags using the same approach as branching Euphyllia and frogspawn corals.

Fragging / Asexual Propagation

1. Wait for a colony with several heads on distinct branches.
2. Cut through the bare skeleton between heads with coral cutters or a band saw for a cleaner edge.
3. Avoid cutting through the polyp flesh; cut on the skeleton.
4. Dip the frags to clear pests before mounting.
5. Glue each frag to a plug in gentle flow and medium light until the cut tissue recedes and heals.

Branching frogspawn-type corals like this are among the more cooperative LPS to frag because the heads are physically separated on the skeleton.

Conditions for Propagation

Maintain temperature near 24-26 degrees Celsius and pH 8.1-8.4 with stable alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium so the skeleton can extend. Medium light and medium flow support healing and full tentacle expansion.

Sexual Reproduction

Sexual reproduction occurs on the reef and is not used for hobby propagation. The consulted sources do not document captive spawning for this species, so propagation is by fragmentation only.

Common Challenges

Like its Euphyllia relatives, the Octospawn carries stinging tentacles and can deploy sweepers against neighbours, so frags need spacing. Cut tissue is vulnerable to brown jelly, a contagious ciliate infection that spreads quickly between corallites and to nearby Euphyllia and frogspawn corals; affected tissue should be fragged off and discarded.