Torch vs. Frogspawn vs. Hammer

[bluetmax]

I'm going to say right off the bat that LPS corals aren't exactly my specialty. lol I'm primarily into SPS, but I have a question regarding something I saw in a local store. There was a torch, hammer, and frogspawn that were all HUGE and had been in the tank for quite some time, that were all basically growing into each other, with no apparent problems. I know about the sweeper tentacles of all of these, and I was wondering if the fact that they were touching was a problem, or if it eventually would be one? These are closely related (from what I think I know, lol), but shouldn't one of them at least be getting the crap stung out of it by another?

 

[kookerson]

From what I read in a book written by Julian Sprung, its not a problem because, like you said, they are closely related......however, I havent kept these corals, so i dont know from experience. HTH! : )

 

[skippy2]

I have all 3. I keep the hammer and frogspawn next to eachother but I had to move the torch to the other side of the tank. The hammer and frogspawn are fine together. T

 

[bluetmax]

Is it because of incompatabilities if they are touching each other?

 

[lvreefer]

For the most part Euphyllia sp. corals can touch, but yes some torch corals are more sensitive. Some frogspawn can look like torch corals as well making it a confusing subject.

 

[scapes]

I've got all three corals.

torches can't touch ANYTHING. hammers and frogspawn can't touch anything but they can touch each other. my hammer and frogspawn are growing into each other, hosted by my percula clown.

 

[Sk8r]

They're all euphyllias. Most people are afraid to have torch touch anything, because it is the 'hottest' of the lot.

However, I have a hammer touching a frog which touches a torch. I say nothing about any other order, and that torch is so mild my tailspot blenny 'hosts' in it quite happily.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10648487#post10648487 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
They're all euphyllias. Most people are afraid to have torch touch anything, because it is the 'hottest' of the lot.

However, I have a hammer touching a frog which touches a torch. I say nothing about any other order, and that torch is so mild my tailspot blenny 'hosts' in it quite happily.

Please forgive my newbness, Sk8r, but I know you like to help newbies! (I've gleaned much assistance from your posts in the newb forum!)

The torch in my aquarium has thicker tentacles, much thicker than those of my frogspawn. The only torch I've seen that has thinner tentacles like yours, is the famous "Todd's Torch". To me, your's looks more like a Galaxea spp., esp. since all of the tentacles appear to be uniform in length.

It could just be the picture though. Any light you could shed would be great!

Thanks!

 

[Sk8r]

Galaxia has a very short, compact stony base, sort of like a sparkle-bar or hedgehog of coral polyps, and extends long transparent sweepers from a cluster of shorter ones, as I have had. The base of these is almost indistinguishable from any euphyllia base, round and finned on its edges [I have one dead head on this piece]. So I'm pretty sure this is bona fide torch.

I've never heard of the famous Todd's Torch, though there are a lot of things in the ocean I've never met, either. It's a common enough type in Spokane, which probably has torches off a common origin specimen. WHo knows, maybe it's 'Todd's Torch.' I'd be interested, myself, in any other photos. A long time ago I had a fairly hot one that had thicker tentacles.

This one is sort of sticky to the touch compared to the frog or hammer, but then I'm not really very reactive to coral stings. Its tentacles closest to the frog have gotten visibly thicker: but I've noticed that euphyllias that touch develop zones of mimicry, frogs that develop a few hammerlike tentacles, mostly hammers that develop branches in their tentacles. Who knows what genetic info they're trading.

One thing I haven't done is pushed my luck by putting the hammer and torch into contact. The hammer and frog are really built into my rockwork, and they're not easy to move.

Thanks for the kind words.