Branching hammer coral

Care at a glance

The branching hammer coral looks like the regular hammer coral, but grows as separate, branching stalks instead of one fused wall — giving colonies a looser, more bush-like shape. The polyps share the same hammer-shaped tentacle tips.

Care is identical to the regular hammer coral: moderate flow and light, plus long sweeper tentacles at night that burn anything they touch, so give it plenty of room from neighbours. Prone to brown jelly when alkalinity swings — keep it as stable as possible.

Good to know

• Potent sting — keep distance in the tank

Related species

• Hammer coralEuphyllia ancora
• Torch coralEuphyllia glabrescens
• Duncan coralDuncanopsammia axifuga
• MontiporaMontipora sp.
• AcroporaAcropora sp.
• Blue xenia (cespitularia)Cespitularia sp.