Hammer / Frogspan

The Hammer or Frogspan Coral is a large polyp stony (LPS) coral from the genus Euphyllia. They come in many different varieties, Hammer, Anchor, Frogspawn, Torch and Grape.  Its polyps are visible throughout the day and at night its polyps are less extended. It may be green, tan, or brown in colour, with lime green or yellow tips on the ends of its tentacles that glow under actinic lighting. We try to find specimens with a purple or neon green accent. Under the right actinic lighting they are simply magnificent.
We find this a very easy coral to maintain with proper water conditions. In the right aquarium, it will thrive. In fact it is one of our fastest growers and we aquaculture most of what we sell. Recently we donated a soccer ball sized specimen to the John G Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.
Euphyllia require moderate lighting combined with moderate water movement. Avoid strong water flow. We obtain best growth under Metal Halide lighting with low to moderate flow. At night, its sweeper tentacles can extend up to six inches in the reef aquarium, stinging other species of corals and animals. Allow plenty of room between it and other corals. It is best to give them their own neighborhood as they rarely bother each other.  Like any other coral with a calcareous skeleton the addition of calcium, magnesium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water are essential to its growth. A CA reactor is highly recommended. We also find that feeding your fish with thawed frozen food over the Euphyllia will provide them with extra nutrients and limit bad algae due to over feeding as the Euphyllia will consume any fish waste or brine that may fall on it.