Euphyllia ancora
| Care Level | Easy to moderate |
| Lighting | Moderate |
| Water Flow | Low to moderate |
| Placement | Low to mid rock |
| Aggression | Aggressive — long sweeper tentacles |
| Coloration | Green, gold, or two-tone |
Color Variations
Hammer Coral is available in several designer color morphs. The coloration is purely cosmetic — every one takes the same care described above.
Overview
The Hammer Coral is a stunning LPS coral with fleshy, hammer- or anchor-shaped tentacle tips that flow in the current. Hardy and forgiving for an LPS, it is one of the best “gateway” stony corals and a Euphyllia hobby favorite.
Care & Placement
Give moderate light and low-to-moderate flow — too much flow keeps the polyps from extending. Place it with plenty of room from other corals, as it extends long stinging sweeper tentacles at night. Euphyllia often do best mounted low-to-mid on the rockwork.
Feeding
Photosynthetic, but responds very well to feeding — target-feed meaty foods (mysis, chopped seafood) once or twice a week for faster growth.
Propagation
Branching hammers can be fragged by cutting between heads with a bone cutter; wall types are harder and best left to experts.
Full step-by-step: How to Frag Hammer, Torch and Frogspawn (Euphyllia)
Cautions
AGGRESSIVE — it extends long sweeper tentacles that sting neighboring corals; leave several inches of space. Compatible with other Euphyllia (hammer/torch/frogspawn) in most cases, but keep away from unrelated corals.
Related guide: Alkalinity, Calcium & Magnesium: The Big Three
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hammer coral good for beginners?
Yes. It’s one of the best beginner LPS: hardy, forgiving, and quick to show if it’s happy, with big fleshy polyps. A great first wow coral.
What light and flow does hammer coral need?
Low to moderate light and low to moderate, indirect flow. Too much flow keeps the polyps from extending; too little light starves it. It’s adaptable within that range.
Does hammer coral sting other corals?
Yes. It has long sweeper tentacles that sting neighbors at night. Give it several inches of clearance from other corals, especially non-Euphyllia.