Hologram Hammer Frags

Hologram Hammer Coral (Euphyllia ancora) – Description & Care

The Hologram Hammer Coral is a stunning variety of Euphyllia ancora, featuring a mesmerizing mix of neon green, gold, and blue hues with a metallic, almost holographic shimmer. Its unique color pattern and flowing, hammer-shaped tentacles make it a standout piece in reef tanks. Like other hammer corals, it adds movement and depth while maintaining a moderate level of aggression.

Care Requirements:

1. Lighting

• Moderate to High (PAR 80-200)
• Thrives under LED or T5 lighting but should be acclimated slowly to avoid bleaching or stress.
• Too much light can cause retraction, while too little can lead to slow growth.

2. Flow

• Moderate, Gentle Flow
• Prefers indirect, random flow to keep tentacles gently swaying without excessive movement.
• Too much flow can cause the polyps to retract, while too little may allow detritus buildup.

3. Placement

• Mid to lower regions of the tank, depending on light intensity.
• Requires at least 4-6 inches of space from non-Euphyllia corals due to its sweeper tentacles.
• Can be placed near other Euphyllia corals (frogspawn, torch, and other hammers), as they often tolerate each other.

4. Water Parameters

• Temperature: 76-80°F (24-27°C)
• Salinity: 1.025 SG (35 ppt)
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
• Calcium: 400-450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1250-1350 ppm
• Nitrates: 5-10 ppm
• Phosphates: 0.01-0.05 ppm

5. Feeding

• Photosynthetic but benefits from supplemental feeding.
• Target feed 1-2 times per week with small meaty foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and powdered coral foods (e.g., Reef Roids).
• Feeding can accelerate growth and enhance coloration.

6. Tank Mates & Compatibility

• Can be placed near other Euphyllia corals (frogspawn, torch, or other hammers) since they often do not sting each other.
• Aggressive toward non-Euphyllia corals, so ensure adequate spacing.
• Safe with most reef-safe fish and inverts, but avoid coral-picking fish like large angelfish and butterflyfish.
• Clownfish may attempt to host, but excessive rubbing can stress the coral.

7. Special Considerations

• Sweeper tentacles extend at night, so leave extra space between corals.
• Acclimate slowly to prevent light or flow shock.
• Fragile skeleton—handle carefully to avoid fractures.
• Dip before adding to the tank to prevent pests or infections like brown jelly disease.