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Hammer Coral

Euphyllia ancora(Veron & Pichon, 1980)Species

LPS coral with T-shaped tentacles resembling hammers. Related to torch coral. Beautiful swaying movement in current.

Hammer Coral (Euphyllia ancora)
© Diego DelsoCC BY-SA 4.0Source

Fluorescence appearance

Hammer Coral under white light
Under white light
Hammer Coral under blue light (fluorescence)
Under blue light (fluorescence)※AI-rendered image

Coral fluorescent proteins are excited by blue/actinic light. Appearance differs greatly from under white light.

Names & Synonyms

  • CommonHammer Coral
  • Commonハンマーコーラル
  • SynonymEuphyllia anacora
  • SynonymEuphyllia ancora

Overview

Hammer coral (Euphyllia ancora, family Euphylliidae) is distinguished by T-shaped or anchor-shaped tentacle tips that sway gracefully in gentle currents. Native to Indo-Pacific reef slopes, its tentacles display shades of green, tan, gold, and purple. Like its relatives torch and frogspawn coral, it possesses potent sweeper tentacles capable of stinging neighboring corals, requiring careful placement in the aquarium. It thrives under moderate lighting (150–250 PAR) with gentle indirect flow, and is sensitive to sudden changes in alkalinity and temperature. Occasional target feeding with small meaty foods promotes robust health and coloration.

Care Specifications

TypeLPS
Temperature24〜27℃
Specific gravity1.023〜1.025
Salinity33〜35 ppt
KH (carbonate hardness)8〜12 dKH
Calcium (Ca)400〜450 mg/L
Magnesium (Mg)1280〜1350 mg/L
LightingMedium
Water flowMedium
PlacementMiddle

Care Points

  • LightingModerate
  • FlowLow to moderate indirect flow
  • Water QualityKH 7-11, Ca 420-450ppm
  • FeedingMysis shrimp twice weekly
  • NotesWatch for brown jelly disease from poor water quality

Regulatory & Conservation

CITES:
Appendix II
Notes:
イシサンゴ目(Euphyllia ancora, Euphylliidae)=ハンマーコーラル。CITES 附属書II。

Sources

Related corals of the same type

Related care articles

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