Purple Hammer Coral
The Purple Hammer Coral is a stunning LPS coral that brings bold colour, flowing movement, and serious visual impact to any reef aquarium. With vibrant purple polyps and glowing blue tips, this coral creates a beautiful display as its hammer-shaped tentacles gently sway in the current.
Hammer Corals are a favourite among reef keepers because they offer that perfect mix of colour, movement, and structure. They make an excellent centrepiece coral in a mixed reef and are suitable for both newer marine hobbyists and experienced reef keepers, provided the aquarium is stable.
This coral thrives under moderate lighting, with a PAR range of around 75–150 being ideal. Too much light can cause stress or bleaching, while too little light may result in duller colour and reduced extension. Moderate, indirect flow is best, allowing the polyps to move naturally without being blasted directly.
Placement should be in the middle to upper areas of the aquarium on a stable rock structure. Hammer Corals are semi-aggressive and can sting neighbouring corals, so make sure to leave enough space around them as they expand.
Purple Hammer Corals gain most of their energy through their symbiotic zooxanthellae, but they can also benefit from occasional target feeding with suitable meaty coral foods. This can help support growth, especially for smaller frags or newly added specimens.
For best results, maintain stable reef parameters:
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Coral Type: LPS Coral
Lighting: Moderate, 75–150 PAR
Flow: Moderate, indirect
Placement: Middle to upper aquarium
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Salinity: 1.024–1.026 SG
Temperature: 24–26°C
Alkalinity: 8–10 dKH
Calcium: 400–450 ppm
Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
With its rich purple colour, glowing tips, and graceful movement, the Purple Hammer Coral is a standout addition to a healthy reef tank. Given stable conditions and proper spacing, it can grow into an impressive colony and become one of the most eye-catching corals in your marine aquarium.
