Green Hammer

Hammer Coral (Euphyllia ancora / Euphyllia paraancora)

Common Names: Hammer Coral, Anchor Coral, Wall Hammer, Branching Hammer
Scientific Name: Euphyllia ancora / Euphyllia paraancora

🪸 Description

The Hammer Coral is one of the most popular and recognizable LPS corals in the hobby, named for its distinctive hammer- or anchor-shaped tentacles that sway gracefully in the current.
It comes in a range of colors and morphs, from vibrant green and gold to purple-tipped varieties, adding motion and color to any reef setup.

This coral’s gentle movement under flow creates a stunning, “waving garden” effect, making it an ideal showpiece or accent coral in mixed LPS tanks.

⚙️ Care Level: Easy to Moderate

Hammer corals are hardy and adaptable, thriving under stable reef conditions — a great choice for both beginner and experienced reefers.

💡 Lighting

• Moderate (PAR 80–150)

• Prefers moderate, evenly distributed lighting.

• Avoid placing under intense light or directly beneath LED hotspots.

🌊 Water Flow

• Moderate, indirect flow

• Gentle movement encourages full polyp extension.

• Too much flow can cause tissue damage or polyp retraction.

🧪 Water Parameters

🍤 Feeding

• Photosynthetic, but benefits from occasional feeding.

• Target feed once or twice a week with Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, or coral-specific foods to promote growth and polyp extension.

🪸 Placement

• Place in the middle to lower regions of the tank with room to expand.

• Avoid direct contact with other corals — Euphyllia species have long sweeper tentacles that can sting nearby corals.

• Ideal for reef tanks with gentle water movement zones.

⚠️ Notes

• Sensitive to rapid changes in alkalinity or salinity.

• Can be propagated easily from branches (if branching type).

• Great for creating movement and a natural reef look.