Hammer Coral
Fimbriaphyllia ancora
Also known as: hammer-tooth coral, Hammer-tooth Coral
Flowing, hammer-shaped tentacles give this LPS coral a striking, anemone-like presence.
About
Hammer-tooth coral (Fimbriaphyllia ancora) is one of the more recognizable large-polyp stony corals in the reef hobby, named for its distinctive tentacle tips that splay out into flattened, T- or anchor-shaped ends. In good conditions those tentacles extend well beyond the skeleton, giving the colony a soft, flowing look that can fool newcomers into thinking they're looking at an anemone. Coloration ranges from green and tan to purple and blue, often with contrasting tips, and the tentacles tend to sway gently in the current, adding real movement to a reef display. In the wild, this species is found across a broad stretch of the Indo-West Pacific, from Japan down through Australia and across to the Maldives, living on reef slopes and sheltered reef environments from the shallows down to around 40 meters. It generally does well under moderate lighting and flow, which makes it a reasonable step up for a hobbyist who has some reef experience but isn't quite ready for the demands of more sensitive SPS corals. One thing worth knowing is that hammer corals can extend sweeper tentacles at night and sting neighboring corals, so give it a bit of buffer space when planning your aquascape.
Similar species
Other coral you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Hammer Coral
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- What water parameters does the Hammer Coral need?
- The Hammer Coral does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- Is the Hammer Coral reef safe?
- The Hammer Coral is generally considered reef safe.