{"product_id":"mint-green-blue-branching-hammer","title":"Mint Green or Blue Branching Hammer","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-8 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"fbskMG_root markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full dark markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eMint Green or Blue Branching Hammer (\u003cem\u003eFimbriaphyllia paraancora\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eMint Green or Blue Branching Hammer\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder 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, \u003cem\u003eFimbriaphyllia paraancora\u003c\/em\u003e develops individual skeletal branches and heads that divide as the colony matures, gradually producing a larger and fuller display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eFimbriaphyllia paraancora\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mint Green Branching Hammer, Blue Branching Hammer, Branching Hammer Coral\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to Moderate — approximately \u003cstrong\u003e75–150 PAR\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to Moderate — gentle, indirect and varied flow that allows natural polyp movement without forcefully pushing the tissue\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lower to Middle aquarium\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-Aggressive\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Form:\u003c\/strong\u003e Branching LPS; individual heads divide as the colony develops\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Primarily photosynthetic; occasional supplemental feeding can support growth and tissue condition\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlacement \u0026amp; Flow\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlace the Mint Green or Blue Branching Hammer on \u003cstrong\u003estable lower-to-middle rockwork\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide \u003cstrong\u003elow to moderate, indirect water movement\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHammer corals can develop \u003cstrong\u003esweeper tentacles\u003c\/strong\u003e capable of stinging neighboring corals. Provide several inches of clearance around the colony and allow additional room for future growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLighting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mint Green or Blue Branching Hammer generally performs well under \u003cstrong\u003e75–150 PAR\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen introducing the coral to stronger lighting, gradually acclimate it rather than immediately exposing it to high intensity. Blue-spectrum lighting can emphasize its \u003cstrong\u003emint, turquoise, and blue coloration\u003c\/strong\u003e, while a balanced reef spectrum provides a more natural representation of the specimen's overall color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mint Green or Blue Branching Hammer is \u003cstrong\u003eprimarily photosynthetic\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOccasional target feeding can provide additional nutrition and support healthy growth. Offer small portions of \u003cstrong\u003emysis shrimp, finely chopped marine foods, or appropriately sized LPS pellets and coral foods\u003c\/strong\u003e when the coral displays a feeding response. Avoid oversized portions or excessive feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mt-3 w-full empty:hidden has-[\u0026gt;_:empty]:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-center\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Island Reef Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48665255936194,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0771\/3354\/5666\/files\/MintGreenorBlueBranchingHammer.png?v=1787557925","url":"https:\/\/islandreefaquatics.com\/products\/mint-green-blue-branching-hammer","provider":"Island Reef Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}