How do I keep the iconic orange/blue “New York Knicks” coloration from fading?

Prioritize stable nutrients and a blue-leaning spectrum. Aim for PAR around 150–250 with strong actinic/royal blue. Ultra-low nutrients can wash out color; excessive nutrients cause browning. Maintain alk 8–9 dKH, Ca 420–460 ppm, Mg ~1350 ppm. Gentle, random flow preserves polyp structure and color. Avoid sudden light jumps; acclimate when changing LEDs or lenses.

My torch has great extension but poor skeletal growth—what adjustment helps?

If tissue looks full yet growth stalls, increase moderate PAR by 10–20% and ensure balanced N:P (e.g., nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.08 ppm). Slightly stronger, alternating flow can stimulate calcification without battering tentacles. Consistent alkalinity and magnesium are key. Occasional, small target feeds (e.g., mysis, roes) support growth but avoid heavy feeding.

Are “New York Knicks” torches safe with other Euphyllia/Fimbriaphyllia?

Torches often out-sting hammers and frogspawns, especially at night. Give 6–8 inches clearance minimum; more if flow can whip sweepers. Even within the genus, contact can cause recession. Watch for allelopathy in tight spaces; carbon and regular water changes help. If tips show burn lines or retraction on the neighbor, increase spacing and adjust flow paths.

What’s the safest way to propagate this high-value morph?

Only frag branching heads with visible separation lines. Use a diamond saw or bone cutters to cut the skeleton below tissue, not through flesh. Dip in iodine, ensure clean, oxygenated holding water, and provide low–moderate flow post-cut to prevent slime buildup. Keep light slightly reduced for a week. Avoid fragging stressed or recently shipped colonies.

New York Knicks Torch Coral

Torch

Overview

New York Knicks Torch Coral features long, flowing tentacles with contrasting orange and blue-green tones and bright tips. Fimbriaphyllia glabrescens is a large-polyp stony coral with branching heads, preferring moderate light and gentle to moderate, indirect flow. It hosts symbiotic algae for most nutrition but accepts occasional small meaty foods to support faster growth and color. Give it space, as its sweeper tentacles can sting nearby corals; place securely where tentacles can move without touching neighbors.

Quick Facts

Care Moderate

Lighting Moderate

Flow Moderate, indirect

Placement Mid–Low

Temperament Aggressive (6–10 inches spacing)

Recommended Parameters

Temp 76–80°F

pH 8.1–8.4

Salinity 1.025–1.026

Calcium 400–450 ppm

AlkAlkalinity 8–10 dKH

Magnesium 1280–1350 ppm

Feeding photosynthetic, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood (krill, shrimp, clam), zooplankton, microplankton, coral-specific powdered foods (e.g., Reef Roids), occasional amino acid supplements

Care & Placement

New York Knicks Torch Coral (Fimbriaphyllia glabrescens) thrives with stable, moderate conditions. Provide moderate light (PAR 80–150) and indirect, random flow strong enough to keep the tentacles gently moving but not whipping; too much flow causes retraction and tissue damage, while too little invites detritus and brown jelly. Target feed small meaty foods (mysis, chopped krill) 1–2x weekly; occasional fine particle foods can aid polyp inflation and color. Keep temperature 77–79°F, salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH, calcium 420–460 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.08 ppm. Prioritize stability—avoid rapid swings, especially in alkalinity. Test weekly (alk more often), use a refractometer for salinity, and calibrate equipment regularly.Place mid to lower in the tank, starting lower for light acclimation, then raise as color and extension allow. Allow 6–10 inches of space; torches deploy long sweeper tentacles and can sting neighbors, including other euphylliids. Best on an isolated rock “island” to limit contact. Acclimate by temperature matching, dipping for pests, and ramping light over 1–2 weeks (use screen or reduced intensity). Handle by the plug or hard skeleton, never the flesh. Signs of stress: bleaching (too much light), recession (alk swings, pests, low nutrients), and brown jelly (bacterial; frag away affected heads, improve flow, maintain clean conditions). Avoid metals/copper, keep hands/tools clean, and maintain gentle but consistent husbandry for steady growth.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the New York Knicks Torch Coral

How do I keep the iconic orange/blue “New York Knicks” coloration from fading?

Prioritize stable nutrients and a blue-leaning spectrum. Aim for PAR around 150–250 with strong actinic/royal blue. Ultra-low nutrients can wash out color; excessive nutrients cause browning. Maintain alk 8–9 dKH, Ca 420–460 ppm, Mg ~1350 ppm. Gentle, random flow preserves polyp structure and color. Avoid sudden light jumps; acclimate when changing LEDs or lenses.
My torch has great extension but poor skeletal growth—what adjustment helps?

If tissue looks full yet growth stalls, increase moderate PAR by 10–20% and ensure balanced N:P (e.g., nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.08 ppm). Slightly stronger, alternating flow can stimulate calcification without battering tentacles. Consistent alkalinity and magnesium are key. Occasional, small target feeds (e.g., mysis, roes) support growth but avoid heavy feeding.
Are “New York Knicks” torches safe with other Euphyllia/Fimbriaphyllia?

Torches often out-sting hammers and frogspawns, especially at night. Give 6–8 inches clearance minimum; more if flow can whip sweepers. Even within the genus, contact can cause recession. Watch for allelopathy in tight spaces; carbon and regular water changes help. If tips show burn lines or retraction on the neighbor, increase spacing and adjust flow paths.
What’s the safest way to propagate this high-value morph?

Only frag branching heads with visible separation lines. Use a diamond saw or bone cutters to cut the skeleton below tissue, not through flesh. Dip in iodine, ensure clean, oxygenated holding water, and provide low–moderate flow post-cut to prevent slime buildup. Keep light slightly reduced for a week. Avoid fragging stressed or recently shipped colonies.