Why did my Mint Frogspawn Coral lose its mint hue and look dull or brown?

Color shifts often come from excess light or very low nutrients. Aim for 80–150 PAR with good blue spectrum and acclimate over 1–2 weeks. Keep nitrates 5–15 ppm and phosphates 0.03–0.1 ppm; ultra-clean water washes out pigments, while too much light triggers browning. Stable alk 8–9 dKH, Ca 420–460 ppm, Mg 1300–1400 ppm. Occasional small-feedings support color.

How far should I place it from other corals, and can it touch hammers or torches?

Give 6–8 inches of space; at night it extends long sweepers that can burn neighbors. Even within Fimbriaphyllia, contact can lead to tissue loss, with torches often winning. Hammers are usually less aggressive but still risky. Angle flow so sweepers don’t blow directly into other corals. Watch for delayed stings that show up as pale, receding edges a day later.

What’s the safest way to frag this branching species?

Only frag healthy, inflated heads. Use bone cutters or a diamond saw to cut the branch well below the fleshy base, never through living tissue. Rinse, then dip in iodine or a broad-spectrum coral dip, and mount so the branch is stable and upright. Moderate, indirect flow prevents slime buildup. Expect 1–3 weeks for polyp extension and 4–8 weeks for firm recovery and new growth.

My Mint Frogspawn stays retracted and produces excess slime—what should I check?

Rule out vermetid snails, flatworms, and stinging neighbors first. Then verify flow: aim for gentle, rhythmic sway, not a blast. Check for parameter swings—alkalinity drops are a common trigger. If tissue looks cloudy or jelly-like, siphon immediately and use an iodine dip; increase aeration and flow around the head. Stabilize temp and salinity, and avoid large lighting changes for several days.

Mint Frogspawn Coral

Frogspawn

Overview

Mint Frogspawn Coral shows plump, mint-tinted branching heads with split, frog-toe tips. Fimbriaphyllia paradivisa is a branching large-polyp stony coral that prefers moderate light and gentle to moderate, varied flow. It is photosynthetic with symbiotic algae but also accepts small meaty foods, which can speed growth and support strong color. Place it with space from neighbors, as sweeper tentacles can sting nearby corals, and avoid high flow that collapses the polyps.

Quick Facts

Care Moderate

Lighting Moderate

Flow Moderate, indirect

Placement Mid–Low

Temperament Semi-aggressive (6–8 inches spacing)

Recommended Parameters

Temp 77–80°F

pH 8.1–8.4

Salinity 1.025–1.026

Calcium 400–450 ppm

AlkAlkalinity 8–9 dKH

Magnesium 1280–1350 ppm

Feeding photosynthetic, zooplankton, microplankton, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, coral-specific powdered foods

Care & Placement

Mint Frogspawn Coral (Fimbriaphyllia paradivisa) thrives with stable, moderate conditions. Provide moderate light (PAR ~75–150); start lower and increase slowly to avoid bleaching, using a shade screen if needed. Aim for gentle to moderate, indirect flow that creates a slow, rhythmic sway; harsh, direct jets can tear tissue and expose skeleton. Target feed 1–2 times weekly with small meaty foods (mysis, brine, reef roids) to support growth and color, while keeping nutrients controlled. Maintain: temperature 75–79°F (24–26°C), pH 8.1–8.4, salinity 1.025–1.026, alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.08 ppm. Test weekly, use a refractometer and reliable kits, and avoid rapid swings and metal contaminants.Place mid to low in the tank with enough room for tentacle extension and 6–8 inches clearance from neighbors; at night, sweepers can reach several inches. Mount on stable rock to prevent sand abrasion and allow detritus to blow past rather than settle. Semi‑aggressive: safe with peaceful fish and most inverts, but keep distance from other corals; mixing with other Fimbriaphyllia is case‑by‑case. Drip acclimate 30–45 minutes, then light acclimate over 1–2 weeks. Watch for recession (often from alkalinity swings), bleaching (too much light or low nutrients), and brown jelly disease (remove, iodine dip, improve flow and stability). An auto top‑off, consistent maintenance, and gentle flow patterns are your best long‑term tools.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Mint Frogspawn Coral

Why did my Mint Frogspawn Coral lose its mint hue and look dull or brown?

Color shifts often come from excess light or very low nutrients. Aim for 80–150 PAR with good blue spectrum and acclimate over 1–2 weeks. Keep nitrates 5–15 ppm and phosphates 0.03–0.1 ppm; ultra-clean water washes out pigments, while too much light triggers browning. Stable alk 8–9 dKH, Ca 420–460 ppm, Mg 1300–1400 ppm. Occasional small-feedings support color.
How far should I place it from other corals, and can it touch hammers or torches?

Give 6–8 inches of space; at night it extends long sweepers that can burn neighbors. Even within Fimbriaphyllia, contact can lead to tissue loss, with torches often winning. Hammers are usually less aggressive but still risky. Angle flow so sweepers don’t blow directly into other corals. Watch for delayed stings that show up as pale, receding edges a day later.
What’s the safest way to frag this branching species?

Only frag healthy, inflated heads. Use bone cutters or a diamond saw to cut the branch well below the fleshy base, never through living tissue. Rinse, then dip in iodine or a broad-spectrum coral dip, and mount so the branch is stable and upright. Moderate, indirect flow prevents slime buildup. Expect 1–3 weeks for polyp extension and 4–8 weeks for firm recovery and new growth.
My Mint Frogspawn stays retracted and produces excess slime—what should I check?

Rule out vermetid snails, flatworms, and stinging neighbors first. Then verify flow: aim for gentle, rhythmic sway, not a blast. Check for parameter swings—alkalinity drops are a common trigger. If tissue looks cloudy or jelly-like, siphon immediately and use an iodine dip; increase aeration and flow around the head. Stabilize temp and salinity, and avoid large lighting changes for several days.

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