Not furry either, still lovely.
Frogspawn Coral
Fimbriaphyllia divisa
Also called Frogspawn, Octopus coral, Euphyllia divisa, Euphyllia (Fimbriaphyllia) divisa
From Indo-Pacific: Australia, Southeast Asia, the Ryukyu Islands and East China Sea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Palau, mostly in shallow, cloudy water and often on vertical surfaces.12
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Large-polyp stony coral (LPS) with a meandering wall skeleton
The hard skeleton forms long, wavy valleys with sharp edges. From them rise big tube-shaped tentacles that split into smaller side branches, each ending in a rounded knob, which gives the whole colony its bubbly, egg-cluster look.21
Personality what they are like
A peaceful, slow-living coral that does best with some elbow room. Like its close relatives it can reach out with longer stinging sweeper tentacles, so it is usually given open space away from neighbouring corals.43
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A sessile coral that stays fixed in place; its tentacles sway and expand in moving water, so gentle, varied flow keeps it looking full.34
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Hobby guides class it as an easier large-polyp stony coral. Stable water chemistry matters most: general reef targets are about 8.2-8.6 pH, 7-12 dKH alkalinity and 400-450 ppm calcium, with magnesium around 1300-1500 ppm suggested for its Euphyllia-type relatives.354
Home where they are happiest
An established reef aquarium with moderate light and low to moderate, randomised water flow. Reef temperature guidance runs about 24-27 C (75-80 F) and salinity 1.022-1.025 sg. Place it with clear space around it so its tentacles do not touch other corals.354
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Gets much of its energy from light through symbiotic algae in its tissue, and can be offered occasional small meaty foods such as mysis or brine shrimp near the tentacles.34
Company who they like around
A colonial animal made of many connected polyps; it needs no tankmates, but appreciates distance from other corals.42
The story where it all began
Scientists Veron and Pichon named it Euphyllia divisa in 1980. In 2017 a DNA-based study moved it into its own genus, Fimbriaphyllia, together with the hammer coral and other close relatives. It has long been one of the most familiar corals in reef aquariums.16
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its common name comes from the knob-tipped, branching tentacles that look like a clump of frog eggs.2
- 2
In the wild a single colony can grow wider than one metre.2
- 3
Researchers describe it as seldom common on reefs, yet easy to spot when present.2
- 4
It is often mixed up with Fimbriaphyllia paradivisa, which grows as separate branching stalks rather than wavy walls.1
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy (Veron & Pichon)
- Described by Veron and Pichon in 1980 as Euphyllia divisa.1
- Taxonomy (Luzon et al., PeerJ 2017)
- A 2017 molecular study raised Fimbriaphyllia from subgenus to genus, moving divisa and four relatives out of Euphyllia.6
- IUCN Red List
- Listed as Least Concern (IUCN 3.1).1
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for a Frogspawn Coral. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
- FeedingDepends on species, many feed from the light and the watervaries
- Salinity checkevery week
- Water testevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Light checkevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Frogspawn Coral?
Your Frogspawn Coral gets most of its energy from light through its symbiotic algae, so it doesn't need frequent feeding. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests occasional small meaty foods like mysis or brine shrimp, but how often varies with your tank's conditions. For a tailored schedule, ask an experienced reef keeper or your vet.34 Pet Wiki plan
What does a Frogspawn Coral eat, and what should it never eat?
It eats by getting energy from light and can be offered small meaty foods like mysis or brine shrimp near its tentacles. Avoid anything large or non-reef-safe, but since specific dangers depend on your setup, check with a good breeder or vet for what to never offer.34
How much space does a Frogspawn Coral need?
This peaceful coral needs clear open space around it because its stinging sweeper tentacles can reach out and harm neighbours. Give it several inches of room from other corals, and ask a breeder for exact spacing based on your tank size.432
What temperature, light or water does a Frogspawn Coral need?
It thrives in moderate light and low to moderate, randomised water flow. Keep temperature around 24-27 C (75-80 F), salinity 1.022-1.025 sg, pH 8.2-8.6, alkalinity 7-12 dKH, calcium 400-450 ppm, and magnesium 1300-1500 ppm for best health.354
How often should I clean a Frogspawn Coral's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests daily top-ups with fresh RO water, weekly water tests, and biweekly water changes of 10-20%. Stable water chemistry is key, so regular cleaning of the tank and equipment keeps your coral happy.35 Pet Wiki plan
Can a Frogspawn Coral live with others?
Yes, it can live with fish and other corals if given plenty of space. It's peaceful but has stinging tentacles, so keep it at a distance from other corals to avoid harm.432
How long does a Frogspawn Coral live?
Lifespan varies greatly depending on care and tank conditions, so there's no set number. For a good estimate, ask a knowledgeable breeder or an exotic-pet vet who specialises in corals.
Can I handle a Frogspawn Coral?
It's best not to handle it because its skeleton has sharp edges and its tentacles can sting. Enjoy watching it from a safe distance, and use tools if you need to move it.214
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Hammer Coral
Torch Coral
Duncan CoralWhere this comes from
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
- Fimbriaphyllia divisa - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for taxonomy, range, IUCN status, look-alike species
- Euphyllia divisa - Corals of the World coralsoftheworld.orgused for skeleton, tentacles, colour, colony size, habitat, abundance
- The Best Beginner Large-Polyp Stony Corals - Reef Builders reefbuilders.comused for beginner status, LPS light, flow and feeding
- RB Care Guide: Torch Coral - Reef Builders reefbuilders.comused for Euphyllia-type flow, chemistry, feeding, sweeper tentacles
- Reef aquarium - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for general reef water parameters
- Euphyllia - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for 2017 genus split
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.