The most important thing that a hammer coral needs for good health is dissolved minerals, such as calcium. Calcium is the most important agent, while magnesium is a key component in making calcium bioavailable. They also require trace elements, which are found in coral reef supplements. While some people think that hammer corals don’t need food, this is simply not true. This is because hammer corals have very little food in nature and live entirely on photosynthesis.
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Fish
If you’ve decided to get a Hammer coral as a reef aquarium plant, you’ll need to make sure that it has the proper conditions to thrive. First of all, it needs moderate light and a good current. It should be placed at least six inches away from other reef fish. It also needs a medium-quality salt mix and calcium supplements. This type of reef fish requires a proper tank setup that contains calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity.
Shrimp
Although this type of coral is not a ravenous eater, it will benefit from occasional feedings of meaty marine food. Feeding hammer coral is simple, and you can easily use a feeder designed for shrimp, such as Julian’s thing. Shrimp are the perfect food for hammer coral because their small size allows them to easily push food into polyps. If you’re unsure of which type of feeder to buy, look for one that accepts sea squirts.
Zooplankton
Unlike other forms of benthic critters, zooplankton is the preferred source of food for hammer corals. Its abundance is related to the amount of predation it sustains. During periods of cessation of active fish predation and the emergence of demersal plankton, the amount of zooplankton increased significantly. The abundance of zooplankton near the reef substrate was 7.1-28.7 mg C m-3, a value which was higher than that of Discovery Bay, Jamaica, which is about 4.5 mg C m-3.
Photosynthesis
If you are looking for a new tank for your reef, you may be wondering if you should add a Hammer Coral. They are photosynthetic and produce their own food, using light to do so. They also eat meat, which can be supplied in mince form for the corals. This can be helpful in their growth, as it allows them to consume more food. The hammer coral is often characterized by a tip that is straight or curvy, depending on the species.
Unpolluted water
When looking for a reputable supplier of hammer coral food, you should look for an unpolluted water source. The water you use must be clean, high in calcium and magnesium, and free of copper. There are several different types of meaty substances that can be fed to hammer corals. Unpolluted water is the best source of nutrients for hammer corals, so make sure you choose a supplier who offers pure, unpolluted water.
Fragmentation
One of the easiest methods to increase the growth of your hammer coral population is fragmentation. It can be accomplished easily using a knife or razor. Branched species are easier to fragment, and using leverage can help increase their growth rate. However, hand fragmentation can damage the corallites and lead to unexpected break lines. To avoid the risk of coral mortality, always fragment your hammer coral food before use.
Keeping hammer corals healthy
In addition to providing beautiful images for your tank, hammer corals are also a great way to add color and visual variety to your aquarium. Often found in the Indo-Pacific, hammer corals come in two skeletal forms: branching and wall. Keeping them healthy requires careful attention to their needs. Here are a few tips to keep them healthy. Ensure their tentacles are fully extended and free from stringy mucus. Also, remove any corals that have “spiked” internal organs or “exposed” internal organs.
