Hammer Corals - Euphyllia ancora

Common name : Hammer coral, Anchor coral

Scientific name : Euphyllia ancora

The Hammer coral is a type of Large Polyp Stony coral and is a great beginners coral.

It has polyps with tentacles which extend from the body of the coral with hammer/anchor/t-shaped ends which are often a lighter colour than the rest of the polyp.

This coral is relatively hardy and can tolerate varied water conditions. It has varied lighting requirements i.e it is my opinion that if the coral itself is brighter in colour (bright green/orange etc) probably has a more aggressive lighting requirement compared to a more plain coloured or regular (browny/pink) Euphyllia.

It can be aggressive so give it a fair bit of room - at night the coral can send out sweeper tentacles which can sting other corals. Once it is full extended during the day it does tend to take up a large amount of space.

These corals don't like direct water flow but, more a gentle current to keep the polyps waving around.

Euphyllia can get all their food through their symbiotic zooxanthalae but, can be target fed.

Best placed midway to lower down in the tank and will do best in a reef system that has a good calcium level and, temperature between 22 - 27 degrees Celsius.