WYSIWYG Splatter Hammer Coral

WYSIWYG Splatter Hammer CoralDescription: Scientific Name: Euphyllia paraancora Common Names: Branching Hammer Coral, Frogspawn Hammer Type: LPS (Large Polyp Stony) coral Appearance: Tentacles have a hammer or anchor shaped tip, similar to E. ancora, but it grows in branching formations instead of a continuous wall. Color morphs include green, gold, pink, orange, and bi color varieties, often with fluorescent tips. The branching growth makes it easier to frag and generally

Description:

• Scientific Name: Euphyllia paraancora

• Common Names: Branching Hammer Coral, Frogspawn Hammer

• Type: LPS (Large Polyp Stony) coral

• Appearance:

  • Tentacles have a hammer or anchor-shaped tip, similar to E. ancora, but it grows in branching formations instead of a continuous wall.

  • Color morphs include green, gold, pink, orange, and bi-color varieties, often with fluorescent tips.

  • The branching growth makes it easier to frag and generally hardier than wall varieties.

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:

• Provide space around the coral – Tentacles can extend several inches and will sting neighbors.

• Target feed 1–2x a week with mysis shrimp, reef roids, or other meaty coral foods for faster growth and better coloration.

• Ensure water stability – Especially with alkalinity and calcium levels.

• Use moderate, indirect flow to keep the tentacles moving but not battered.

Avoid:

• Too much direct flow or high light – Causes retraction or bleaching.

• Crowding or touching other corals – Euphyllia are aggressive and need breathing room.

• Sudden parameter swings – Like all LPS, they need consistency.

Fragging:

• Super easy to frag thanks to the branching skeleton.

• Just cut between the heads with coral clippers or a bone cutter.

• Let frags heal in low-flow areas or frag racks.

Common Issues:

• Brown Jelly Disease – Rare, but treat immediately with iodine dips and by removing affected areas.

• Polyp recession – Usually from poor flow, light, or parameter swings.

• Alkalinity swings – Euphyllia are sensitive to dKH changes.

Bonus Tip:

• Under blue actinics, E. paraancora glows beautifully, especially gold or neon green variants.

• 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."