Scientific
Name: Euphylla ancora
Classification: LPS
Common Name: Hammer Coral, Anchor Coral
Description:
Forms fairly large colonies. Skeletons grow in a
meandering fashion. Polyps have long tubular
tentacles with Hammer, anchor or T-shaped tips. Color is usually orange, with lighter colored edges to the tips of the polyps.
Similar to and related to Torch Coral and Frogspawn coral. Can be
differentiated by the anchor or T-shape of the end of the tentacles.
Veron: Colonies may form a continuous
cover over the substrate many meters across although individual colonies
are seldom over one meter across. Colonies have the same skeletal
structure as Euphyllia divisa. Polyps have large tubular
tentacles with few or no branchlets but with anchor, hammer or T-shaped
tips. Color is blue-gray to orange, usually with pale cream or green
outer borders to the tentacles.
Natural Environment:
Veron: Large colonies are usually found in
shallow environments exposed to moderate wave action. Seldom common, but
may be a dominate species on protected horizontal substrates and on rocky
outcrops in high latitude locations.
Care:
Hardiness: Hammer coral is
fairly hardy once established in the aquarium
Lighting: Requires moderate to strong lighting.
Water Current: Hammer corals prefer low to moderate water motion.
Temperature: Does well within a range of at least 75º to 84º F
Aggressiveness: High. Hammer coral can expand considerably from its
skeleton and has sweeper tentacles that are up to 2" longer than normal
tentacles that can sting neighbors. Hammer corals grow fairly quickly and
to a large size, so they do best in larger reef tanks. They can be kept in
contact with others in the same family such as frogspawn coral.
Feeding: Hammer coral is photosynthetic and does not need to be directly
fed, but will take small meaty foods that are offered.
Supplements: Maintaining correct calcium levels is important for
skeletal development
Tank Positioning: Best positioning is a low to moderate water flow
area where it has room to expand and grow.
