What's the difference between Hammer Coral and Torch Coral?

Hammer Coral is a close relative of Torch Coral, distinguished mainly by the T-shaped tips of its tentacles. They belong to the same coral group but differ in tentacle shape and coloration.

Can beginners keep Hammer Coral?

Hammer Coral is generally considered better suited to intermediate keepers than complete beginners. Having some prior experience managing water quality and flow will make things easier.

How big does Hammer Coral grow?

As an adult, it can spread to roughly 10-30 cm across. When planning your tank layout, it's worth accounting for this eventual size.

Feeding isn't strictly required since the coral gets energy from photosynthesis, but supplemental feeding is thought to support steadier coloration and growth. Try offering planktonic foods while the tentacles are extended.

Is Hammer Coral subject to CITES?

Hammer Coral is not subject to CITES.

Hammer Coral

Hammer Coral gets its name from the T-shaped tips of its tentacles, which look like the head of a hammer swaying gently in the current. A close relative of Torch Coral, it comes in shades of green, gold, and pink, and its graceful, drifting tentacles make it a real focal point in a reef tank. It's generally considered suitable for intermediate-level keepers rather than absolute beginners. Beyond photosynthesis, occasional feeding helps it stay healthy, and with consistent care it's known to live 10 years or more. Because its sweeper tentacles can sting corals they touch, give it plenty of room from its neighbors when placing it in the tank.

View Hammer Coral encyclopedia →

Find Hammer Coral breeders(0)

Limited Time Offer

0% commission on your first sales!Register by September 30, 2026 and your first 2 sales are commission-free!

Breeder Wanted!

List on BreederDirect and sell directly to customers nationwide!

Free registrationNo monthly feesCommission on sales only

Br-Choku's 6 Transparency Standards

Our Breeder sellers disclose detailed care specs for all Coral listings. We prioritize Aquacultured/CB specimens, verify WYSIWYG photos, and provide difficulty ratings—avoiding wild-caught.

Aquacultured
WYSIWYG Photo
Difficulty Disclosed
Frag/Colony
Care Info Included
Trade name shown

All types Coral Frags SPS (Acropora etc.)Hydnophora (Horn Coral)Cyphastrea Stylophora Seriatopora (Bird's Nest Coral)Pocillopora (Cauliflower Coral)Pavona Porites Merulina Montipora Cap Montipora Setosa

Browse all 66 breeds

Filter

Price

Region

Has show resultsChampion titles

Attributes

FragWYSIWYG (Actual photo)Aquacultured

0 items

Sort by

No listings match your filters

Adjust your filters, or get notified when new listings arrive.

Find breeders Browse the Coral encyclopedia Clear filters

Getting alerts is free with a member account. When new listings match your saved search, we'll notify you by email and in-app.

Browse other categories

Dogs Cats Marine Fish Tropical Fish Goldfish Medaka Reptiles & Amphibians Small Pets Birds Insects Exotic Invertebrates

Verified breeders (preview)

森信幸 Breeder

宮城県

朝比奈理一 Breeder

宮城県

Are you raising coral?

Apply as a breeder

About Hammer Coral

Hammer Coral is an LPS coral with T-shaped, hammer-like tentacle tips, closely related to Torch Coral. Suited to intermediate aquarists, it can live 10+ years with proper care.

7 things to know before welcoming a Hammer Coral

1Best for Intermediate Keepers
Hammer Coral calls for a bit more experience managing water quality and flow than typical beginner corals. It helps to have a solid grasp of basic reef water chemistry before bringing one home.
2Feeding Complements Photosynthesis
While it draws much of its energy from photosynthetic algae in its tissue, supplemental feeding is thought to support steadier coloration and growth. Try offering small planktonic foods while the tentacles are extended.
3Give It Space From Other Corals
Its long sweeper tentacles can sting neighboring corals when they make contact. When aquascaping, leave enough space to account for how much it will grow over time.
4Prefers Gentle Water Flow
Strong, direct flow can cause the tentacles to stay retracted, hiding the coral's signature swaying motion. Placing it where flow is gentle and indirect helps the tentacles extend naturally.
5Plan for Its Adult Size
Hammer Coral can spread to roughly 10-30 cm across as it matures, so it's worth planning its placement with your tank size and tankmates in mind. In smaller tanks, keep an eye on crowding as it grows.
6Moderate Lighting Works Best
Very intense lighting can stress this coral, so starting with moderate light and adjusting gradually is the safer approach. Especially right after placement, watch how well the tentacles extend to judge whether the lighting suits it.
7Introduce It to a Mature Tank
Unstable water conditions can be stressful for this coral, so it's best introduced into a tank that has been running long enough for parameters to settle. Keep monitoring water quality for a while after introduction, too.

Frequently asked questions about Hammer Coral

Q.What's the difference between Hammer Coral and Torch Coral?: A.Hammer Coral is a close relative of Torch Coral, distinguished mainly by the T-shaped tips of its tentacles. They belong to the same coral group but differ in tentacle shape and coloration.
Q.Can beginners keep Hammer Coral?: A.Hammer Coral is generally considered better suited to intermediate keepers than complete beginners. Having some prior experience managing water quality and flow will make things easier.
Q.How big does Hammer Coral grow?: A.As an adult, it can spread to roughly 10-30 cm across. When planning your tank layout, it's worth accounting for this eventual size.
Q.Is feeding required?: A.Feeding isn't strictly required since the coral gets energy from photosynthesis, but supplemental feeding is thought to support steadier coloration and growth. Try offering planktonic foods while the tentacles are extended.
Q.Is Hammer Coral subject to CITES?: A.Hammer Coral is not subject to CITES.

Useful tools for Hammer Coral care

💧Aquarium Volume CalculatorCalculate water volume, weight, and heater wattage from tank dimensions 🧪Water Quality CheckerFind compatible fish, shrimp, plants & corals based on pH, temperature & hardness 💡Lighting CalculatorCalculate optimal LED lighting based on tank size and plants/corals 🔄Nitrogen Cycle GuideAuto-calculate bacteria colonization timeline for new tank cycling 🗓️Seasonal Care CalendarMonthly care events and seasonal management tips at a glance 🚿Water Change CalculatorAuto-calculate optimal water change frequency and volume by tank size and fish count 🐠Stocking CalculatorCalculate max fish capacity for your tank size with overstocking alerts ⚡Electricity Cost SimulatorCalculate monthly and annual electricity costs for care equipment with presets 🏞️Tank Layout PlannerGet substrate, plant & hardscape suggestions based on tank size and style 🧮Care Cost SimulatorEstimate initial, monthly & annual costs by category, care level and quantity ⚖️Species Comparison ToolCompare two species side by side: care difficulty, size, lifespan & temperature 🚚Transport Safety CheckerCheck transport safety score and precautions by category, season, method and distance ⏱️Quarantine & Acclimation TimerManage quarantine periods and acclimation steps with countdown timers. Includes recommended durations by species

Learn more about Hammer Coral in the encyclopedia

View Hammer Coral encyclopedia entry →

Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.

Hammer Coral related articles

Hammer Coral (Euphyllia) Tank Layout Guide | Positioning, Isolation, and Color Enhancement in Practice

Euphyllia corals including hammer corals, frogspawn corals, and torch corals are known for their striking appearance and potent toxicity. This practical layout guide covers proper spacing between corals, allelopathy countermeasures, color enhancement based on placement, and frag propagation—everything you need to maintain Euphyllia species long-term.

Hammer Coral & Torch Coral Care Guide | Water Flow, Lighting & Placement for Euphyllia LPS

Complete guide to caring for hammer corals and torch corals (Euphyllia genus). Detailed coverage of proper water flow, lighting, water quality, and spacing—essential tips for LPS beginners to avoid common mistakes.

Complete Care Guide for Euphyllia Corals (Hammer Coral, Torch Coral, Frogspawn): Characteristics and Management

A species-by-species guide to caring for the most popular LPS corals: Euphyllia species (Hammer Coral, Torch Coral, Frogspawn). Practical tips on water flow, lighting, feeding, and propagation, plus management of common diseases like Brown Jelly.

LPS Coral Beginner's Guide | Keeping Hammer Corals, Scleractinian Corals, and Trumpet Corals

Learn the care methods, water quality management, and feeding tips for LPS corals (Hammer Corals, Scleractinian Corals, and Trumpet Corals). This is a beginner's guide to reef tanks starting with LPS, which is easier to maintain than SPS corals.

See more Hammer Coral articles →