[demifelix]

I bought a hammer head coral about 2 weeks ago. There were several branches full of heads when I bought it. Recently, the heads (tissues) on 1 branch were wasted away, leaving only the white shaft underneath where the heads used to come out of. I also notice that it's spreading to a nearby branch, and the heads now turn pale and stringy - they don't extend anymore. I read some place and was thinking it might be fungus or bacteria problem, but I don't know how to cure this coral? Can someone please help me to save this coral? It's a nice piece and I don't want to loose it. Thanks in advance. Felix.

[Reefland]

Hi Felix and Welcome to Reefland!

It sounds to me like you are talking about a Hammer Coral which is actually a LPS coral and not an SPS coral.

But anyway, I think the only cure now is to split the coral at the skeletal base and remove the branches that have died/are dying off. It could be a number of things causing them to die, including your water parameters (would need to know more details about your tank such as how old is it, water parameters, etc.).

Scott Z.

[demifelix]

Thanks Scott. As you can tell I'm very new to all this coral world, and I'm still learning how to id them. My hammer coral has very short branches, and there are soft tissue on these branch, which I was told by the LFS not to cut at the soft tissue areas???. I tried to remove all the dead/receding heads from that branch and dip in lugol solution according to the instructions on the label. I put it back to the tank now. I will have my water tested today to find out the paramenters. Any test kits that you would recommend? What would be the ideal paramenters in a reef tank? Thanks again. Will let you know the results.

Also, could it be possible to move this thread to LPS? I'm sorry I messed up here.
Felix.

[Reefland]

Hi Felix!

No problem with the thread placement, I will move you now.

Your water results should be as follows:
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - less than 20
Calcium - 400-450
Alk - 3.5 - 4.5

Other test results right now are more detailed than you need to look. How old is this tank and can you proviude some details about the lighting, filtration and inhibitants?

Regards,
Scott Z.

[madmanny]

were in the tank is the hammer set?

the first one i had, had a similar problems, the parameters were ok, but water temp was around 81-82. for some reason or another the temp is important ? also if there is alot of current they tend to detach.
just cut back the dead branch and any other infected branches even if they are still alive, because eventually they will die.

get some DT, and feed as directed and everything will be fine. in the last 6 months since, my hammer has branched 5 times. good luck these guys are pretty and grow very fast.

also keep them away from any other corals, they sting everything.

[Minh Nguyen]

Euphyllia sp. corals will have separate polyps. Each almost acts as a separate coral. If you keep your coral in adequate water motion and adequate light, it should be OK. You don't have to break off the dead heads. Just leave it alone. In good condition and with feeding these corals can grow very fast. I got one that have a single tiny polyp given to me by a friend, turn to a 16 inches mass of coral with 40+ heads in three years.
It need to be under good water motion, enought to sway the tentacles. It need bright light like high under VHO or PC. If you have MH175-250 W it need to be 1 foot under the water or so. If you have 400W MH, it need to be about 2 feet under the water surface.
In general, they are very easy to care for . Low phosphate and low nitrates is needed to ensure that they will grow. If you can feed the any meaty food, or even flakes. They will grow much faster. All the corals in this genus (I have not see one stung another yet) can touch each other without problem.