Euphyllia Cristata

Euphyllia cristata is a species that resembles the torch coral but has shorter tentacles and more tightly packed branches. The corallites sit close together, the sharp septa of the skeleton protrude, and small single polyps are often seen in between. The tentacle tips are a clearly different color from the body. It is one of the species that remained in the genus Euphyllia in the 2017 revision. Its trade is subject to CITES Appendix II; choose an aquacultured frag.

• Light: Moderate, about 75–200 PAR.
• Flow: Low to moderate and indirect; the short tentacles should move gently.
• Placement: The middle zone of the rockwork; because the branches are tightly packed, make sure detritus does not collect between them.
• Water parameters: Salinity 1.024–1.026, KH 7–10 dKH, calcium 400–450 mg/L, magnesium 1250–1350 mg/L; nitrate 2–10 mg/L, phosphate 0.03–0.1 mg/L.

It is photosynthetic. Supplemental feeding with mysis or fine-grained LPS food once a week supports growth and color.

Like the other Euphyllia relatives, it extends stinging tentacles at night and burns neighboring corals; leave at least 15 cm of space around it. Do not let it touch the torch coral or Fimbriaphyllia species. Dwarf angelfish and hermit crabs may pick at the tentacles. Watch a new colony in quarantine for rapid tissue recession and brown jelly.