unusual Hammer coral

[iamwrasseman]

in a glass cage they don't seem to grow fast but in the wild they are weeds just like most corals in comparison from wild to aquarium life .

 

[SkiFletch]

Agreed Dave. When I was diving on the GBR last year I saw a few colonies of Euphyllia at one of the deeper dive sites we visited. Most were branching torches that were pretty big. I'd say around 3-4' diameter colonies. I saw only one "wall" hammer and it was more meandering looking than I'm used to seeing in aquariums but it was probably longer than me, so these things grow BIG in the wild. I furthermore saw almoast a field of fox corals and while not Euphyllia, they grow in that same fused wall style. They formed almost a carpet along the sea floor extending out from the base of the reef. The local folk said it's common to find them growing like that and the coral in general acts as an early reef-builder. So yes, they grow massive in the wild. Must be something funky about captivity that isn't the kindest to them.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

reef aquariums are funky!

reef aquariums are funky!

I'd say aquarium size (water volume etc.) has a lot to do with corals growing slowly/ staying small in captivity. Plus all of the chemical warfare in our little glass boxes!

In the wild each species wants to create a stand (large area) exclusive to it.

I've seen 3ft. across elegance corals. Big coral specimens take many years to grow that large.

I have no doubt that hammers, torches and froggies can be placed side by side in an aquarium but I'm just as sure that they will take shots at each other whenever/wherever they can.

 

[iamwrasseman]

yep i saw a 3'x25' wall type hammer years ago while diving and hardly even knew what it was till i spoke with the boat driver and then i had to go back into the water just to check it out again . it was like a 100' snake zigzagged on the ocean slope .
in an aquarium its impossable to have the nutrition "food"and also crystal clean water all in the same place day after day .we just dont have the capability in a glass cage to any extent at all .

 

[magdelan]

yes. You can frag almost any coral- even Plerogyra (bubble corals) and wall hammers.

"You can milk anything with nipples".

 

[Jacwil]

That's what I'M talkin' ' bout!

 

[iamwrasseman]

Lol ,tats funy

 

[Breakbeats2334]

Was the coral a type of Physogyra?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Was the coral a type of Physogyra?

not sure who this question is directed to but I'd love to hear if someone is keeping Physogyra side by side with Plerogyra
(pearl bubble coral next to bubble coral)

 

[GMaquarium]

not sure who this question is directed to but I'd love to hear if someone is keeping Physogyra side by side with Plerogyra
(pearl bubble coral next to bubble coral)

They tolerate each other. I have kept them side by side before and have some now that touch yet don't fight. Gary even those bubbles and pearls you saw at the shop other day touch.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

They tolerate each other. I have kept them side by side before and have some now that touch yet don't fight. Gary even those bubbles and pearls you saw at the shop other day touch.

thanks :reading:

 

[Breakbeats2334]

I was half alseep asking that question and forgot to type all of it... I meant to ask if pearl bubble coral was a type of physogyra. But it looks like u already answered my question

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

dang I'm good :lmao:

 

[Breakbeats2334]

Got a comparison photo of the growth in 3 years?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Got a comparison photo of the growth in 3 years?

of the hammer? No pic offhand. It's on a ledge so it's forced to grow upward. Growth in wall Euphyllia is more apparent when they're spreading outwards along the seafloor...

 

[Breakbeats2334]

good to know ive always considered trying a tan or peach wall euphylia just havnt hunted one down yet.