WYSIWYG Hologram Hammer Coral
Description:
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Scientific Name: Euphyllia paraancora
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Common Names: Branching Hammer Coral, Frogspawn Hammer
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Type: LPS (Large Polyp Stony) coral
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Appearance:
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Tentacles have a hammer or anchor-shaped tip, similar to E. ancora, but it grows in branching formations instead of a continuous wall.
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Color morphs include green, gold, pink, orange, and bi-color varieties, often with fluorescent tips.
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The branching growth makes it easier to frag and generally hardier than wall varieties.
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Care Level: Easy to Moderate
E. paraancora is more forgiving and less prone to recession or brown jelly than E. ancora, making it a better choice for newer reefers.
Do:
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Provide space around the coral – Tentacles can extend several inches and will sting neighbors.
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Target feed 1–2x a week with mysis shrimp, reef roids, or other meaty coral foods for faster growth and better coloration.
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Ensure water stability – Especially with alkalinity and calcium levels.
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Use moderate, indirect flow to keep the tentacles moving but not battered.
Avoid:
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Too much direct flow or high light – Causes retraction or bleaching.
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Crowding or touching other corals – Euphyllia are aggressive and need breathing room.
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Sudden parameter swings – Like all LPS, they need consistency.
Fragging:
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Super easy to frag thanks to the branching skeleton.
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Just cut between the heads with coral clippers or a bone cutter.
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Let frags heal in low-flow areas or frag racks.
Common Issues:
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Brown Jelly Disease – Rare, but treat immediately with iodine dips and by removing affected areas.
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Polyp recession – Usually from poor flow, light, or parameter swings.
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Alkalinity swings – Euphyllia are sensitive to dKH changes.
Bonus Tip:
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Under blue actinics, E. paraancora glows beautifully, especially gold or neon green variants.
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Can be grouped with other Euphyllia (torch, frogspawn, hammer) only if they’re the same species type (branching with branching). Otherwise, they can sting each other—even if they're "family."
