Frogspawn Corals (Fimbriaphyllia divisa, Euphyllia divisa)

The Frogspawn Coral, (Fimbriaphyllia divisa) formerly Euphyllia divisa known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Zig-Zag Coral, Wall Coral, Grape Coral, Honeycomb Coral and Octopus Coral is found throughout the Indo Pacific with a range that extends from the coast of Africa to the Western Pacific, including the waters of Indonesia, Australia, the Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef.

Frogspawn Coral is native to the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region where they are common in relatively shallow coastal reefs, lagoons, and turbid waters.

Although the Frogspawn Coral is generally found among the protected coral reef slopes of their range in clear shallow to deeper waters with gentle to moderate currents.   They are quite adaptable and are also found in shadier spots closer to shore growing on rocks and coral rubble where water movement shields their delicate tissue from tearing.   In general, Fimbriaphyllia divisa can typically found at depths ranging anywhere from 10 to 115 feet.

Frogspawn Corals (Fimbriaphyllia divisa, Euphyllia divisa)

The Frogspawn Coral, like all species of Euphyllia form a hard, calcified skeleton topped with multi-tipped, flesh-toned tentacles that closely resemble a mass of frog or fish eggs, hence their common name.

Some of the species form branching structures while others form compressed wall-like structures, with multiple recognized species and sub-clades within the genus:

Euphyllia divisa (Veron & Pichon, 1980)
Euphyllia ancora (Veron & Pichon, 1980)
Euphyllia glabrescens (Chamisso & Eysenhardt, 1821)
Euphyllia paraancora (Veron, 1990)
Euphyllia paradivisa (Veron, 1990)
Euphyllia bayeri (Hodgson & Ross, 1982)
Euphyllia cristata (Chevalier, 1971)
Frogspawn coral (Euphyllia divisa)
Frogspawn coral (Euphyllia divisa)

Pink Frogspawn Corals (Fimbriaphyllia divisa, Euphyllia divisa)

Euphyllia are generally colored brown or tan with green, pink, or purple tips, however, they are collected in a variety of color forms from Neon Green, Bicolor, Gold, Orange, Splattered, etc.

Orange Frogspawn Corals (Fimbriaphyllia divisa, Euphyllia divisa)

Their color and the intensity of their colors is entirely dependent on how much light they receive and the presence of actinic lighting.   The more balanced the light, the richer the fluorescent coloration of the coral.

Because the Frogspawn Coral is moderately adaptive and has the ability to thrive in stable reef environments, they are a common sight throughout their range.

Although the Frogspawn Coral can be housed in small nano reef tanks, they are best kept in larger reef tanks of at least 30 gallon capacity with a live sand or fine coralline gravel substrate and plenty of live rock or other aquascape architecture for them to attach themselves to.   They do well when placed in the bottom to middle of the tank with low to moderate lighting, gentle to moderate indirect water flow, and adequate space to prevent them from stinging neighboring corals.

Frogspawn Corals (Fimbriaphyllia divisa, Euphyllia divisa)

Fimbriaphyllia divisa formerly Euphyllia divisa is aggressive towards other corals and will give off long, stinging sweeper tentacles at night to ward off invasive competitors.

Yellow Green Frogspawn Corals (Fimbriaphyllia divisa, Euphyllia divisa)

Albeit aggressive to outsiders, it is a peaceful addition alongside other Euphyllia sub-clades like Hammers, allowing hobbyists to group them together into a “Euphyllia garden.”

Compatible tankmates for Frogspawn Coral include Clownfish, Firefish, Cardinalfish, Gobies, Blennies, Cleaner Shrimp, and other peaceful reef-safe species.

The Frogspawn Coral reproduces asexually through a process of budding or longitudinal fission. In branching varieties, a single head will slowly constrict and divide across its center to form two distinct new heads, expanding the skeleton upward and outward.

Over time, large branching colonies can be manually fragmented (fragged) by carefully cutting the lower skeletal branches well below the living tissue line to create independent specimens.

Frogspawn Corals (Fimbriaphyllia divisa, Euphyllia divisa)

In their natural environment, Frogspawn Corals obtain most of their nutrients from their zooxanthellae, symbiotic algae.   Although they rely mostly on photosynthesis and dissolved organics for growth, they are also

Blue Tipped Frogspawn Corals (Fimbriaphyllia divisa, Euphyllia divisa)

active predators able to capture and consume larger particles with their fleshy tentacles.

In an aquarium environment with indirect water flow, they benefit from weekly supplemental feedings of mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, or specialized LPS pellet foods mixed with water that they catch with their sticky nematocysts.

The Frogspawn Coral, (Fimbriaphyllia divisa)  is readily available in the aquarium trade to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as wild caught and captive-bred specimens from a variety of online retailers at moderate to premium prices depending on the rarity of the color morph.

Frogspawn Corals (Fimbriaphyllia divisa, Euphyllia divisa) are among the most popular and vibrant  Large Polyp Stony  (LPS) corals in the reef hobby, famous for their multi-tipped, flesh-toned tentacles that mimic frog or fish eggs.

Aquaculture of this coral has been highly successful, leading to increased availability, hardiness, and sustainability in the hobby.

Frogspawn Corals (Fimbriaphyllia divisa, Euphyllia divisa)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallon
Tank Placement: Bottom to Middle
Water Flow: Gentle to Moderate (Indirect)
Care Level: Moderate
Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately Hardy
Temperament: Aggressive
Toxicity: Yes, strong stinging cells (Sweeper Tentacles)
Invasive: No
Water Conditions: 74 – 80°F, dKH 8 – 11°, pH 8.1–8.4, sg 1.024-1.026, Nitrate 1 – 10 ppm, Calcium 400-450 ppm
Lighting: Low to Moderate (100-150 PAR)
Feeding: mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, LPS pellets
Growth Rate: Moderate
Color Form: Green, Tan, Pink, Purple, Gold, etc.
Diet: Photosynthetic, Carnivore (Target Feeder)
Origin: Indo-Pacific, Australia
Family: Euphylliidae
Lifespan: Decades (Under proper care)
Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate