Mint Green or Blue Branching Hammer (Fimbriaphyllia paraancora)

The Mint Green or Blue Branching Hammer is an attractive LPS coral featuring thick, fleshy tentacles ending in the characteristic hammer- or anchor-shaped tips associated with this species. Depending on the individual specimen and lighting, coloration can range from soft mint green and turquoise to cooler blue tones, creating an excellent contrast against warmer-colored corals. When fully expanded, its polyps gently sway with the current and give the colony a full, flowing appearance.

Under blue-spectrum reef lighting, the mint and blue pigments can take on stronger fluorescent qualities, while a balanced spectrum provides a more natural representation of the coral's coloration. As a branching hammer, Fimbriaphyllia paraancora develops individual skeletal branches and heads that divide as the colony matures, gradually producing a larger and fuller display.

Recommended Care

Scientific Name: Fimbriaphyllia paraancora
Common Name: Mint Green Branching Hammer, Blue Branching Hammer, Branching Hammer Coral
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Lighting: Low to Moderate — approximately 75–150 PAR
Water Flow: Low to Moderate — gentle, indirect and varied flow that allows natural polyp movement without forcefully pushing the tissue
Placement: Lower to Middle aquarium
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Growth Form: Branching LPS; individual heads divide as the colony develops
Feeding: Primarily photosynthetic; occasional supplemental feeding can support growth and tissue condition

Placement & Flow

Place the Mint Green or Blue Branching Hammer on stable lower-to-middle rockwork where its fleshy polyps have sufficient room to expand. Once comfortable, the tissue can extend well beyond the underlying skeleton, so avoid positioning the coral where its polyps will repeatedly rub against nearby rockwork.

Provide low to moderate, indirect water movement. Ideal flow should cause the tentacles to gently sway rather than remain pinned in one direction. Excessively strong or direct current can prevent full expansion and may cause the delicate tissue to rub against the skeleton, potentially resulting in damage.

Hammer corals can develop sweeper tentacles capable of stinging neighboring corals. Provide several inches of clearance around the colony and allow additional room for future growth.

Lighting

The Mint Green or Blue Branching Hammer generally performs well under 75–150 PAR. It does not require the intense lighting commonly associated with SPS corals and is typically well suited to the lower and middle regions of a reef aquarium.

When introducing the coral to stronger lighting, gradually acclimate it rather than immediately exposing it to high intensity. Blue-spectrum lighting can emphasize its mint, turquoise, and blue coloration, while a balanced reef spectrum provides a more natural representation of the specimen's overall color.

Feeding

The Mint Green or Blue Branching Hammer is primarily photosynthetic, receiving much of its energy from symbiotic dinoflagellates living within its tissue. Supplemental feeding is not essential when the coral receives appropriate lighting and is maintained under stable reef conditions.

Occasional target feeding can provide additional nutrition and support healthy growth. Offer small portions of mysis shrimp, finely chopped marine foods, or appropriately sized LPS pellets and coral foods when the coral displays a feeding response. Avoid oversized portions or excessive feeding.

With its cool mint-green to blue coloration, flowing hammer-shaped polyps, and desirable branching growth form, the Mint Green or Blue Branching Hammer is an excellent way to add both movement and a cooler color palette to an LPS or mixed reef. As its individual heads divide and the colony fills out, it can develop into an impressive display while remaining a manageable and rewarding addition to a well-maintained reef aquarium.