Australian Fluoro Green Branching Hammer - Fimbriaphyllia paraancora

Australian Fluoro Green Branching Hammer (Fimbriaphyllia paraancora)

Australian Fluoro Green Branching Hammer is a vibrant LPS coral admired for its bright fluorescent green colouration, fleshy hammer-shaped polyps and attractive flowing movement. Its branching structure makes it especially desirable for reef aquariums, offering a bold feature coral with excellent visual impact under blue and mixed reef lighting.

Common Name:
Australian Fluoro Green Branching Hammer, Fluoro Green Hammer Coral, Branching Hammer Coral, Hammer Coral

Scientific Name (Latin):
Fimbriaphyllia paraancora, formerly Euphyllia paraancora

Coral Type:
LPS Coral

Growth Form:
Branching skeletal growth with large fleshy polyps and distinctive hammer or anchor-shaped tentacle tips.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Hammer corals are found across Indo-Pacific reef environments, with Australian colour forms often collected from reef slopes, lagoonal reefs and mixed coral habitats where they receive moderate light, stable water quality and gentle to moderate water movement.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Alkalinity: 7–10 dKH
Calcium: 400–450 ppm
Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
Nitrate: Low but detectable
Phosphate: Low but detectable

Lighting:
MEDIUM
Australian Fluoro Green Branching Hammer is best kept under moderate reef lighting, where its fluorescent colouration can show well without excessive stress. Avoid placing it directly under very intense lighting straight away, and acclimate gradually when moving it into brighter positions.

Flow:
LOW TO MEDIUM
Provide gentle to moderate, indirect flow that allows the polyps to expand and sway naturally. Strong direct flow should be avoided, as it can cause the tissue to retract against the skeleton and may lead to irritation or tissue damage.

Placement:
Place on lower to middle rockwork where the coral can expand fully and remain secure. Allow generous spacing from neighbouring corals, as the fleshy polyps can extend well beyond the skeleton and may sting nearby livestock.

Temperament / Aggression:
Semi-aggressive
Hammer corals can sting neighbouring corals and may extend sweeper tentacles, especially when competing for space. Keep it away from delicate SPS, soft corals and other LPS corals unless there is enough room to prevent contact.

Feeding:
Photosynthetic, but benefits from feeding
This coral receives much of its energy from light through its symbiotic zooxanthellae, but it can benefit from occasional target feeding. Suitable foods include small mysis, fine meaty coral foods, LPS pellets and enriched coral foods. Feed sparingly and avoid allowing food to remain trapped on the tissue.

Growth Rate:
Moderate
In a stable reef aquarium, Australian Fluoro Green Branching Hammer can gradually produce new branches and develop into a fuller display. Consistent calcium, alkalinity and magnesium levels are important for healthy skeletal growth.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Maintain stable water parameters and avoid sudden changes in alkalinity, salinity or lighting. Handle with care, as the fleshy tissue can be damaged easily against the skeleton. Avoid strong direct flow and ensure detritus does not settle around the base. Hammer corals can be vulnerable to tissue recession and brown jelly infections, so careful inspection, coral dipping where appropriate and good spacing are recommended before introduction.

Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate reefkeepers

Availability:
Premium coral

All images are a visual representation of the coral you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns, colours and growth form will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.