Green Frogspawn Coral (Euphyllia divisa) – Description & Care
The Green Frogspawn Coral is a highly popular Euphyllia species, known for its bubble-tipped, flowing tentacles that resemble frog eggs. Its vibrant green coloration and gentle movement make it a standout in reef tanks. Frogspawn corals are closely related to torch and hammer corals and can sometimes be placed near them due to their shared Euphyllia lineage.
Care Requirements:
1. Lighting
- Moderate to High (PAR 80-200)
- Does well under LED or T5 lighting, but gradually acclimate to avoid stress.
- Too much light can cause bleaching, while too little can lead to retraction and slow growth.
2. Flow
- Moderate, Gentle Flow
- Prefers indirect, random flow to keep tentacles swaying without excessive movement.
- Strong, direct flow can damage polyps and cause stress.
3. Placement
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Mid to lower regions of the tank, depending on light intensity.
- Needs at least 4-6 inches of space from non-Euphyllia corals due to its stinging ability.
- Can be placed near torch and hammer corals, as they are part of the Euphyllia family and may not sting each other.
4. Water Parameters
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Temperature: 76-80°F (24-27°C)
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Salinity: 1.025 SG (35 ppt)
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pH: 8.1-8.4
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Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
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Calcium: 400-450 ppm
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Magnesium: 1250-1350 ppm
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Nitrates: 5-10 ppm
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Phosphates: 0.01-0.05 ppm
5. Feeding
- Photosynthetic but benefits from supplemental feeding.
- Target feed 1-2 times per week with small meaty foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and coral foods like Reef Roids.
- Feeding can promote faster growth and better coloration.
6. Tank Mates & Compatibility
- Can be placed near other Euphyllia corals (hammer, torch, or other frogspawn), as they often do not sting each other.
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Aggressive toward non-Euphyllia corals, so ensure proper spacing.
- Safe with most reef-safe fish and inverts, but avoid fish that nip at corals (e.g., large angelfish, butterflyfish).
- Clownfish may attempt to host in it, but too much interaction can cause stress.
7. Special Considerations
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Has long sweeper tentacles that can extend at night—be mindful of placement.
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Acclimate slowly to avoid light or flow shock.
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Dip before adding to the tank to prevent pests or brown jelly disease.
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Fragile skeleton—handle carefully to avoid fractures.