{"product_id":"red-heart-branching-hammer-euphyllia-pea-ee-n0402","title":"Red Heart Branching Hammer","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRed Heart Branching Hammer, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEuphyllia ancora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and related species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, is a fleshy stony coral known for its flowing polyps and distinctive hammer- or anchor-shaped tentacle tips. This specimen displays soft pink, lavender, and muted red tones through the tentacles, with pale cream to light pink terminal tips and a warmer reddish coloration toward the center of the polyps.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen fully expanded, hammer corals produce large fleshy polyps that extend from a branching calcium carbonate skeleton and move gently with the surrounding water flow. Their broad terminal tips create the characteristic hammer-like appearance, while the soft pastel coloration of this specimen gives it a delicate multicolor presentation under reef aquarium lighting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEuphyllia ancora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and related hammer corals contain symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates that provide much of their nutritional energy. Their fleshy polyps can also capture suspended plankton and appropriately sized particulate foods from the surrounding water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause closely related \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEuphyllia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e species can share similar hammer-shaped tentacles, coloration, and growth characteristics, exact species-level identification should not be based on external appearance alone. For this specimen, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEuphyllia ancora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and related species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is the most appropriate product identification.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEuphyllia ancora\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and related species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Branching Hammer Coral\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLighting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Low to Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Low to Moderate, indirect and variable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Lower to middle areas of the aquarium depending on lighting intensity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Aggressive; provide adequate space from neighboring corals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReef Compatibility:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Reef safe with appropriate spacing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Primarily photosynthetic; may also benefit from appropriately sized planktonic and meaty coral foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth Form:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Branching calcium carbonate skeleton supporting large fleshy polyps with hammer- or anchor-shaped terminal tips\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Maintain stable reef aquarium temperature and salinity along with consistent alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. Maintain measurable and reasonably stable nitrate and phosphate levels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecial Considerations:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Avoid strong direct water flow that forces the fleshy polyps against the skeleton. Provide adequate spacing from neighboring corals because hammer corals can sting nearby specimens. Handle carefully to avoid damaging the delicate fleshy tissue where it meets the skeleton.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Pacific East Aquaculture, Inc.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67903808471273,"sku":"EE N0402","price":53.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2133\/7655\/files\/red-heart-branching-hammer-lps-euphyllia-pea-ee-n0402.jpg?v=1794205707","url":"https:\/\/pacificeastaquaculture.com\/products\/red-heart-branching-hammer-euphyllia-pea-ee-n0402","provider":"Pacific East Aquaculture","version":"1.0","type":"link"}