Hammer Coral Care Guide
The Hammer Coral, named for its unique hammer-shaped tentacles, is a popular and hardy LPS coral that adds movement and personality to any reef tank. Its flowing polyps can range in colors from green and gold to purple, making it a centerpiece coral for many aquarists.
Lighting:
Moderate light is best. Too much direct light may cause bleaching, while low light can lead to dull coloration. Place Hammer Corals in areas with stable, indirect lighting such as mid-level in the aquarium.
Flow:
Provide moderate, indirect water flow. Strong currents can damage their delicate polyps, while too little flow may cause detritus to settle on the coral and lead to tissue recession.
Placement:
Allow space around the Hammer Coral for its tentacles to extend, as it has sweeper tentacles that can sting nearby corals. Keep a few inches of clearance to prevent aggression.
Feeding:
While photosynthetic, Hammer Corals benefit from supplemental feeding. Target feed small meaty foods such as mysis shrimp or coral foods like Reef Roids once or twice per week to encourage faster growth and vibrant coloration.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 75–80°F
Salinity: 1.024–1.026
Alkalinity: 8–10 dKH
Calcium: 400–450 ppm
Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
Difficulty Level:
Easy to Moderate. Hammer Corals are a great choice for aquarists who want a hardy coral with movement, but they do require stable water chemistry to thrive long term.
