Gold Hammer Coral – Description & Care Guide
Common Name: Gold Hammer Coral
Scientific Name: Euphyllia ancora or Euphyllia paraancora
Type: LPS (Large Polyp Stony Coral)
Origin: Indo-Pacific, Australia, Indonesia
🌟 Description
The Gold Hammer Coral is a stunning variant of the traditional hammer coral, prized for its vibrant golden-yellow tentacles. Each polyp has a distinctive "hammer" or "anchor" shape, which sways gently in the current. The color can range from metallic gold to neon yellow, depending on lighting and genetics.
This coral adds both movement and contrast to reef aquascapes and is often a centerpiece in LPS-dominant tanks.
🧪 Water Parameters
| Parameter |
Ideal Range |
| Temperature |
75–80°F (24–27°C) |
| Salinity |
1.025–1.026 |
| pH |
8.1–8.4 |
| Alkalinity |
8–11 dKH |
| Calcium |
400–450 ppm |
| Magnesium |
1250–1350 ppm |
| Nitrates |
2–10 ppm |
| Phosphates |
<0.1 ppm |
💡 Lighting & Flow
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Lighting: Moderate to high (Gold coloration becomes more vivid under blue spectrum reef lighting)
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Flow: Moderate, indirect flow—enough to sway tentacles without blasting them. Too much flow can cause tissue recession.
🍽️ Feeding
Feed 1–2 times per week for better growth and color.
📍 Placement Tips
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Mid to lower areas of the tank are ideal.
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Ensure the coral has plenty of space—its tentacles can extend significantly and may sting nearby corals.
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Keep away from aggressive or fast-growing neighbors.
⚠️ Compatibility
🧼 General Care Tips
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Acclimate slowly to avoid light shock.
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Avoid high fluctuations in alkalinity or salinity.
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Watch for signs of stress like retraction or brown jelly disease—good water flow and stable parameters help prevent these issues.
✅ Summary
The Gold Hammer Coral is a beautiful, showy LPS coral with vivid color and graceful movement. With moderate lighting, stable water parameters, and the right flow, it can thrive and grow into a stunning centerpiece for your reef tank.
