Euphyllia Paraancora (Hammer Coral) - (Branching)
 
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
 
Temperament: Aggressive
 
Lighting: Low to Moderate
 
Waterflow: Low to Moderate
 
Placement: Middle to Lower Half of Aquarium
 
Origin: Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean (typically collected off the coast of Australlia and around numerous different Indo-Pacific islands)
 
Family: Euphylliidae
 
Type: Large Polyp Stony
 
Long Description: 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 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.
 
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, zooplankton as well as other products like Coral Feast and Reef Energy or other amino acids.