Reverse Hammer [74]

Reverse Hammer Coral Care | The Happy Reef

Reverse Hammer is a distinctive branching Hammer Coral where the usual colour pattern appears flipped, creating contrasting tentacle tips and stems that give the coral its ?reverse? appearance. Fully extended, its fleshy hammer-shaped polyps form a flowing mass of colour and movement.

Hammer Corals were traditionally classified within Euphyllia and are still widely known by that name in the reef hobby. Branching Hammers are now placed within 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 polyps gently swaying and fully extended is ideal.

Placement: Mid Third

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

Care Notes: Branching Hammers grow by producing and dividing heads, gradually developing into impressive flowing colonies. Give them some space from unrelated neighbouring corals due to their sting. Stable alkalinity, calcium and magnesium, moderate lighting and varied flow provide excellent conditions for strong extension, colour and growth.