Hellfire Torch

The Torch Coral is one of the most popular and eye-catching LPS (Large Polyp Stony) corals in the reef aquarium hobby. Famous for its long, flowing polyps that sway beautifully in the current (like an underwater torch or flaming flashlight), it comes in stunning colors including gold, green, purple tips, neon green, rainbow, and ultra-rare “Holy Grail” or “New York Knicks” variants. Perfect for beginners who want a “wow-factor” coral that’s relatively forgiving.

Why Reefers Love Torch Corals

• Dramatic movement in moderate to strong water flow
• Large, fleshy polyps (1–2 inches when fully extended)
• Available in single-head frags up to massive multi-head colonies
• Grows moderately fast under good conditions
• Generally peaceful but has sweeper tentacles at night (keep 6–8 inches away from neighbors)

Natural Habitat

Torch corals are found throughout the Indo-Pacific region:

• Indonesia (main export location)
• Australia (Great Barrier Reef)
• Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
• Vietnam and the Philippines
  They naturally grow on reef slopes and lagoons in moderate light and moderate-to-strong turbulent flow at depths of 10–80 feet (3–25 m).

Recommended Tank Placement & Flow

• Placement: Middle to lower third of the rockwork (on a stable rock or frag plug)
• Light: Low to moderate (80–180 PAR is ideal; too much light can cause browning or bleaching)
• Flow: Moderate to strong indirect/intermittent flow. The polyps should sway gently like grass in the wind — never blast them directly or they’ll stay closed.
• Good: Wavemakers or powerheads creating random flow
• Bad: Constant laminar flow from one direction

Ideal Water Parameters

Keep these stable — torches hate big swings!

Feeding

Torch corals have symbiotic zooxanthellae but love extra food:

• Broadcast feeding: Reef-Roids, Benereef, or coral snow 2–3 times per week
• Target feeding (recommended): Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, small pellets or coral-specific foods with the lights off or flow reduced. Polyps will grab and eat within minutes!

Common Challenges & Diseases

1. Brown Jelly Infection
• Looks like brown jelly or stringy mucus covering the head
• Caused by physical damage + bacteria
• Fix: Immediate freshwater dip (pH & temp matched) or Lugol’s iodine dip, then turkey-baster off the jelly. Remove affected head if it spreads.
2. Receding Tissue / Base Rot
• Usually from too-low alkalinity, pests, or poor flow
• Keep alk stable and dip new frags!
3. Polyps Stay Closed
• Common causes: too much direct flow, poor water quality, pests, or sudden parameter swings
• Check nitrates/phosphates and adjust flow
4. Pests
• Euphyllia-eating nudibranchs (rare but devastating)
• Asterina starfish or flatworms
• Always quarantine and dip new torches (CoralRx, Revive, or Bayer insecticide dip)

Final Tips for Beginners

• Start with a healthy, fully healed frag from a trusted source
• Give it 6–8 inches of space — sweepers come out 3–5 inches at night!
• Acclimate slowly (drip acclimation 1–2 hours)
• Be patient — torches can pout for 1–2 weeks when moved, then explode with growth

Add a Torch Coral to your reef and watch it become the centerpiece in no time!