White Hammer - light req.

[MyColorYellow]

Any advise for the lighting needs of a white hammer? I have a 24" tall tank and only 384w on my 110 gal.

[reefhead]

they are not usually white, you got a pic?

[ravenmore]

Reefhead is most likely correct. You're hammer is probably bleached. I had a torch coral sold to me once as a white color morph (see my website, I have a pic of it in this state. Note that one branch is brown). Unfortunately it was actually bleached. Fortunately it regained it's zooxanthellea, which is always a muddy brown or muddy green depending on the species of zoox.

If it is bleached there is a good chance it can regain it's zooxanthellea and recover. I'd put it in a medium light area (hopefully proper light levels will stimulate zoox growth). Try feeding it. I've never had much luck with hammers accepting food but it's pretty critical that it have another food source if it's lost it's zoox. Try small pieces of shrimp. I've had some luck with krill and tiger prawns - the latter I got from the grocery store frozen fish section. Just make sure it's not packaged or has added preservatives in any way!!!!

Hammers are in the euphillia(sp?) family and these are typically hardy corals, so I'd say you've got a good chance of saving it if you provide it the right conditions (medium water flow, good water quality, medium light). Good luck!

-Mike

[MyColorYellow]

Both pieces I bought are as white as a snow peas. They seem to be healthy and are in moderate light /flow. I feed DT and REEF PLUS twice a week, not to mention other frozen foods to my fish. I hope the hammers do well. I don't mind a white hammer, but if not that's ok too.
Sorry, no scanner or aditquite(sp) camera yet for a good pic. I hope my hammer live - I'll keep their progress posted.

[Great Reefer Man]

MyColorYellow,

Just out of curiosity, where did you get these corals? There seems to be a lot of this "rare white corl" crud going around lately. Anyone else notice that? I wonder if some people arent purposely bleaching them so they can try to scam someone.

Dennis

[MyColorYellow]

I got them at Aquatic Outlet in Ingelwood(CA) two weeks ago. I have to say the salesman didn't act out of the ordinary when I ask the cost and decided to buy them.
Sam

[ravenmore]

He may not have known it was bleached. One of my better lfs' is the one that sold me the torch as a white color morph.

I'm guessing it's bleached as I've never heard or seen a white color morph of a hammer coral. Also, zooxanthellea as mentioned above is muddy brown/green. When it is present in the coral's tissues you'll see it. Sooooo, most likely it is bleached. This is not certain doom for the coral - it's very possible that it will regain it's zoox.

Also, Dt's will NOT most likely directly benefit this coral (although it's still a darn good product to use for other reasons). Golden pearls would be a better choice, although go easy with it as it's potent/rich food that, if you over feed, can cause algae/cyano probs.

-Mike

[MyColorYellow]

It has been a month now and the only change is that they are growing. They are still white with a tanish center.