Hammer Coral Question

[vanny]

without camera flash

with camera flash
this a relatively new coral that I have added to my system.
Called Hammer Coral
Euphyllia ancora
(its just a frag) bought for $20
it has been doing fine for the last two weeks, but I am not impressed with the colour contrast between the tip of the coral and the tentacles.
also its tentacles don't really look like hammers (they have not swelled up)
- I have moved the coral to a higher position in the tank with more light intensity and more water flow and feed it on a regular basis (Cyclops and Shrimp) which it accepts.
But I have not seen drastic changes.
I bought the coral advertised as a purple tip hammer.
is it okay for it to look like this, or is there something that I can do to make it look better.
-CHEERS!

 

[crazyforcordoras]

Small hammers usually dont have the achor tentacles, if im correct.

 

[Donya]

Looks pretty normal to me for the price. If it was advertised as a hammer with unusual colors, the price would be a bit suspect to me since usually unusual stuff goes for a lot more than that.

Small hammers usually dont have the achor tentacles, if im correct.

Even some pretty big ones can be a little on the nubby side.

 

[Crazy fishes]

I love hammer coral and I have had an amazing amount of success growing, fragging and selling this stuff. One thing I would mention is, in my opinion you have the most beautiful of the colour variations available. What I have found is that Euphyllia one the whole don't like too much flow which is obivious if you think that they tend to be found at deeper depths or tucked up behind something for shelter. What you want is the polyps just to be moving very slightly when it is partially open as that will encourage the full expansion. Secondly what lighting are you running. I have kept this coral under 36W x2 compacts, 150W halide and 120W LED and if I am total honest I think the best results come with compacts and LEDs. That is better colour and growth rates.
From what is evident in the pictures you posted you seem to have got yourself a health looking coral at a very good price but that is coming from a Brit who has to contend with prices of £50-£60 per colony of Euphyllia!!

Hope this helps

kindest regards

 

[marineman24]

your coral is a frag, give it chance to grow out of its "frag" stage and it'll take on its usual colour
as the other brit mentioned, they do best in slow water movement so maybe moving it may help aswell.
and as with all corals, lighting is most important for successful health and growth, so double check your lighting is enough to keep this eligant coral.
its a brilliant coral uve got there, and very cheap aswell...over here we expect to pay alot for these beautiful corals.
but there sure worth every penny.

good luck