Hammer Garden
WYSIWYG — What You See Is What You Get The coral in the photos is the exact specimen you will receive. Our photos are taken under medium blue reef lighting to represent the coral as accurately as possible to the naked eye. Colours may appear slightly different under your specific lighting setup. If you have any questions about colouration or would like additional photos before purchasing, please contact us — we're happy to help.
Hammer coral is one of the most iconic and sought after LPS corals in the reef keeping hobby. Named for the distinctive hammer or anchor shaped tips on its flowing tentacles, a healthy hammer coral in full extension brings a constant gentle movement to a reef tank that no other coral quite replicates.
Available in two distinct growth forms — wall and island. Wall hammer corals grow along a single connected skeletal plate, spreading laterally over time. Island hammer corals form separate branching heads, giving them a more open, tree-like structure that makes them ideal for fragging as the colony matures. Both forms are equally stunning and equally sought after — the choice comes down to personal preference and tank layout.
Available in a wide range of colour morphs — from classic green and gold to striking purple, blue, and multicoloured varieties — hammer corals are collected as much for their colour diversity as for their visual impact. A well-established hammer coral colony is one of the most rewarding and visually impressive pieces a reef tank can have.
Care Guide
- Care level: Moderate — suitable for reef keepers with established, stable systems. One of the more forgiving large polyp euphyllia corals making it a great starting point for reef keepers moving into LPS
- Lighting: Medium — hammer corals prefer moderate indirect light. Avoid placing directly under high intensity LED spots which can cause bleaching and prevent full polyp extension. Mid to lower rockwork in areas of indirect light works best
- Flow: Low to moderate — gentle indirect flow encourages full tentacle extension and keeps the coral clean. Strong direct flow will prevent extension and cause the coral to retract. The sweeper tentacles need calm water to flow freely
- Placement: Mid to lower rockwork with adequate space around the colony. Hammer corals produce long sweeper tentacles at night that can reach and sting neighbouring corals — allow a minimum of 15-20cm clearance from other corals in all directions
- Temperament: Semi-aggressive — sweeper tentacles are extended primarily at night and can sting and damage neighbouring corals. Plan placement carefully and monitor regularly especially in a mature tank where the colony has grown
- Feeding: Hammer corals benefit from target feeding with small meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, reef roids, or coral frenzy 1-2 times per week. Feed when the tentacles are fully extended. Regular feeding encourages faster growth, additional head development, and more vibrant colouration
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 24–26°C
- Salinity: 1.024–1.026
- Calcium: 380–430ppm
- Alkalinity: 8–11 dKH
- Magnesium: 1250–1350ppm
- Nitrate: 5–15ppm
- Phosphate: 0.05–0.10ppm
Note: Hammer corals are sensitive to rapid alkalinity swings. Sudden changes can cause rapid tissue necrosis (RTN) and tissue recession. Always adjust parameters slowly and incrementally. Stability is more important than hitting exact target numbers. If your hammer coral begins to recede, check your alkalinity first.
Shipping All livestock is packed with care and shipped Australia-wide with heat or cold packs as required for the season. Shipping insurance is available at checkout and strongly recommended for all livestock orders.
As a live coral, natural variation in colouration and size may occur. We photograph all WYSIWYG specimens individually to ensure what you see is what you receive.