Euphyllia Paraancora (Hammer Coral) - (Branching)
 
Easy to Moderate
 
Aggressive
 

 

 

 
Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean (typically collected off the coast of Australlia and around numerous different Indo-Pacific islands)
 
Euphylliidae
 
Large Polyp Stony
 
Hammer corals are similar to Torches, preferring low to moderate lighting and flow and are distinguished by their anchor or hammer shaped tips at the end of their tentacles. This particular species of Euphyllia grows branches with polyps that split in half to form new polyps.
They should be placed somewhere in the middle of the tank and away from other types of corals due to their tentacles having the ability to sting other corals. One thing we have noticed though, is that Hammers can coexist next to frogspawn/octospawn corals. Of course, you should always maintain proper water parameters by maintaining good calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity levels.

There are several different color variations and hobbyists tend to pick out a few different ones and place them near each other, creating what we like to call "gardens".
 
Although Hammer corals are mainly photosynthetic, relying on the products of their zooxanthellae, they should also be fed phytoplankton and zooplankton as well as other products like Coral Feast, Reef Energy, and LPS pellets.