Gold Hammer [96]

Gold Hammer Coral Care | The Happy Reef

Gold Hammer Coral is a beautiful branching LPS with warm golden colouration and the distinctive hammer or anchor-shaped tentacle tips that give these corals their common name. When fully extended, the fleshy polyps create constant movement and the gold pigments become particularly striking under blue-spectrum reef lighting.

Hammer Corals were traditionally classified within Euphyllia, which is why they are still commonly referred to as Euphyllia throughout the reef hobby. They have since been moved into the genus Fimbriaphyllia, alongside Frogspawn and Kingspawn, while Torch Corals remain within Euphyllia.

Scientific Name: Fimbriaphyllia paraancora (formerly Euphyllia paraancora)

PAR: 100?200

Flow: Moderate. Random, indirect flow that keeps the fleshy tentacles gently swaying without continuously pushing them in one direction is ideal.

Placement: Mid Third

Feeding: Beneficial but not essential. Hammer Corals are strongly photosynthetic but can also capture small meaty foods and suitable coral foods. Occasional feeding can support faster growth and the development of additional heads.

Care Notes: Branching Hammers can develop into impressive colonies as individual heads grow and divide. Give them some room from unrelated neighbouring corals due to their sting. Stable alkalinity, calcium and magnesium, moderate lighting and varied flow provide excellent conditions for full extension, strong growth and rich golden colour.