Overview
Torch coral identification starts with tentacle shape and tip definition, not marketing names.
Lighting can exaggerate color differences, so structure and movement patterns should lead your analysis.
A combination of branch style, tentacle length, and polyp spacing helps reduce false matches.
Key traits to review
- Tentacle length and thickness consistency across the colony.
- Tip contrast relative to tentacle body, including single-tone vs multi-tone transitions.
- Branch profile and branch spacing near the base skeleton.
- Polyp expansion behavior under moderate reef flow.
Common confusion points
- Flow can stretch tentacles and hide shape details needed for confident ID.
- Retail photo editing often boosts fluorescence and obscures structural cues.
- Single-frag photos do not always represent mature colony morphology.
- Some hammer/frogspawn variants overlap visually from certain angles.
Beginner tips
- Capture one still photo and one short video to compare shape in motion.
- Use neutral white balance at least once before evaluating color claims.
- Check branch form at the base whenever possible, especially for new frags.
- Treat rare-name labels carefully unless morphology and lineage documentation align.
When AI identification helps
- When you need a shortlist of likely torch categories for further research.
- When comparing similar listings and deciding which specimen deserves closer review.
- When documenting tank progression and spotting shifts in colony expression over time.
Use AI outputs as a practical starting point. For final confidence, compare against morphology over time and experienced reef references.
Try Coral Identifier on your own tank photos
Capture a clear photo, review likely matches, and build better coral ID confidence over time.