Ocean glow at home: The timeless allure of hammer coral
Of all the corals that captivate the hearts of saltwater aquarium enthusiasts, Hammer coral has to be at the top of my list for both hypnotic movement and roadside beacon color distortions. This species features short tentacles that look like little hammers swinging in the currents, and its arrival brings both depth perception and organic movement to reef aquariums. The rising obsession with hammer coral across Canada mirrors the increasing love for marine life diversity and sustainable tank-bred home reefs. Hammer coral (Euphyllia ancora) is excellent in medium water flow and lighting, and it's an ideal intermediate tank coral for the aquarist who wants the beauty of a large polyp stony (LPS) in their system but without the demanding high/low requirements of other similar species. This color — from neon green to purple, subtle gold and blue — transforms into a glowing underwater showpiece that takes center stage in any tank. But just like its good looks, it must be taken care of....