Gold Branching Hammer

“Anchor Coral” or “Wall Hammer / Branching Hammer

The Hammer Coral is a close cousin of the Torch but with flattened, hammer- or anchor-shaped tips that give it a totally unique look. When the polyps are fully extended, it looks like a living chandelier swaying in the current. Available in jaw-dropping colors: gold, green, purple tips, rainbow, teal, and ultra-rare “Hellspawn” or “Master Grade” pieces.
Beginner-friendly, fast-growing, and one of the most forgiving Euphyllia!

Why Reefers Love Hammer Corals

• Huge visual impact – walls and branching forms can become tank over a tank in 1–2 years
• Polyps extend 2–4 inches and dance in the flow
• Comes in Wall (flat sheets) and Branching forms
• Very hardy once acclimated
• Peaceful but has long sweeper tentacles at night (6–8″ spacing required)

Natural Habitat

Indo-Pacific reefs:

• Indonesia (biggest exporter)
• Australia, Fiji, Solomon Islands
• Tonga and Vanuatu
  Usually found in slightly turbid lagoons and upper reef slopes in moderate light and strong, turbulent flow at 15–65 ft (5–20 m).

Recommended Tank Placement & Flow

• Placement: Middle of the tank on rockwork (walls look best horizontal, branching vertical)
• Light: Low to moderate (100–200 PAR). Too bright = brown/bleached tips
• Flow: Moderate to strong, random/turbulent flow
  ✓ Polyps should wave and bounce gently
  ✗ Never direct blast – they will stay retracted

Ideal Water Parameters (keep them stable!)

Feeding

Hammers love food but can survive on light alone:

• Optional but recommended: Target feed 2–3× per week (mysis, brine, Reef-Roids, LPS pellets)
• Feed at night with lights off – mouths open wide!

Common Challenges & Diseases

1. Brown Jelly Infection
   Same as Torch – brown goo spreading across heads.
   Fix: Turkey baster off the jelly + iodine or freshwater dip immediately. Cut away dead heads if needed.
2. Receding Flesh from the Base
   Usually low alkalinity or flatworms/nudibranchs. Keep alk 8+ and dip new frags.
3. Polyps Won’t Extend
   Causes: too much direct flow, new arrival stress, poor water quality. Give it 1–2 weeks and good flow.
4. Pests
• Euphyllia-eating nudibranchs
• Montipora-eating nudibranchs (cross-contamination)
• Always quarantine & dip (Revive, CoralRx, or Bayer)

Final Tips for Beginners

• Buy a fully healed frag or colony – avoid freshly cut pieces
• Give 6–8 inches of space from other corals (sweepers come out at night!)
• Drip acclimate for 1–2 hours
• Australian and aquacultured hammers are the hardiest
• Once happy, they grow FAST – be ready to frag in 6–12 months

Add a Hammer Coral and watch it become the flowing centerpiece of your reef – it’s basically a Torch’s cooler, hammer-shaped brother!