Let us begin.
To start, both of the hammer
corals are sometimes called
anchor corals, and both have
unique tentacles. When fully
extended these tentacles can
be some of the longest of any
of the corals, and each one is
tipped with a little knob that
makes it look something like a
little hammer or anchor. That, of
course, is where their common
names come from. The tenta-
cles can also be nicely coloured,
typically being various shades
of fl uorescent green and brown
with lighter colored tips. On oc-
casion, you may be able to fi nd
some that have pinkish or even
bluish colours, as well.
It’s the skeletal form that
set these two species apart,
though. E. ancora has a curv-
ing, wall-like skeleton that
has what’s properly called a
fl abello-meandroid form, but E.
parancora has a branching skel-
eton that has what’s properly
called a phaeceloid form. So, E.
ancora is simply called the ham-
mer coral while E. parancora is
typically called the branching
hammer coral.
Again, both of these corals can
get very large under optimal
aquarium conditions, com-
monly producing a skeleton
over 30 centimetres across, with
tentacles that can easily reach
out a few more. And, they can
do so at a relatively rapid pace
compared to many other corals.
The hammer coral can expand
its wall-like skeleton in any di-
rection over time, often taking
on a somewhat radial overall
form. Likewise, the branching
hammer coral can produce
numerous new branches over
time, all of which can increase
in diameter and length, too.
Of course, the tentacles can in-
crease in number and length, so
both forms can go from a small
specimen/colony to something
very impressive to look at when
well-cared for.E. ancora has a curving, wall-like skeleton that has what’s
properly called a fl abello-meandroid form, but E. parancora
has a branching skeleton that has what’s properly called a
phaeceloid form.Oddly, in aquariums hammer corals oftentimes serve as substitute hosts for clownfi shes when no suitable anemone is
present.Here you can see a typical hammer coral skeleton, which is fl abello-meandroid and often grows in a radial fashion.