Aussie Toxic Stem Hammer – Premium Australian Hammer LPS Coral

About This Coral

Bring brilliant color and mesmerizing movement to your saltwater aquarium with the Aussie Toxic Stem Hammer, a stunning Australian Hammer Coral prized for its distinctive appearance, flowing tentacles, and collector appeal.

This beautiful large-polyp stony (LPS) coral belongs to the group commonly known as Hammer Corals, named for the unique hammer-shaped or anchor-shaped tips found on their fleshy tentacles.

The Aussie Toxic Stem Hammer is offered by Aqua SD as a specialty Hammer Coral. Its Toxic Stem trade name distinguishes the variety from other Hammer Corals, although the exact coloration of an individual specimen should be confirmed using its current photograph.

Hammer Corals are popular among reef enthusiasts because their fleshy tentacles sway gracefully in aquarium currents, bringing constant natural movement to an underwater display.

Depending on the species, Hammer Corals grow in branching or wall-like skeletal formations. Branching forms develop separate heads, while wall forms grow over a continuous skeletal ridge.

The Aussie Toxic Stem Hammer makes an attractive addition to established LPS gardens and mixed reef displays, particularly when positioned where its colorful tentacles can expand without contacting neighboring corals.

Under suitable conditions, the coral can maintain impressive tissue expansion and develop additional skeletal growth over time.

With stable water chemistry, moderate lighting, indirect water circulation, and careful placement, this Australian Hammer Coral can become a spectacular focal point in a mature reef aquarium.

This is a live LPS coral. Individual coloration, colony structure, size, and appearance depend on the specimen available.

Features

• Australian Hammer Coral offered under the Toxic Stem trade name.
• Beautiful flowing tentacles create natural movement within reef aquariums.
• Distinctive hammer-shaped tips characteristic of Hammer Corals.
• Collector-style LPS coral for established marine aquariums.
• Moderate lighting requirements suitable for many mixed reef systems.
• Moderate, indirect water flow encourages gentle tentacle movement.
• Photosynthetic nutrition supported by symbiotic algae within the tissue.
• Optional supplemental feeding may support healthy growth.
• Attractive under reef lighting with coloration dependent on the specimen.
• Excellent centerpiece potential in a dedicated Hammer Coral display.
• Suitable for LPS coral gardens when adequate spacing is maintained.
• Long-term colony development under appropriate aquarium conditions.
• Natural tentacle expansion produces a striking appearance.
• Moderate care requirements suited to aquarists maintaining stable reef systems.
• Individual specimen character makes each available coral unique.

Specifications

Recommended Water Parameters

These are general Hammer Coral husbandry guidelines rather than verified holding conditions for this individual specimen. Stability is particularly important for healthy tissue expansion and skeletal growth.

Lighting Requirements

The Aussie Toxic Stem Hammer generally performs best under moderate reef aquarium lighting.

A starting range of approximately 75–150 PAR is appropriate for many Hammer Corals. Actual lighting requirements may differ depending on the coral’s previous environment.

Lighting Recommendations

• Introduce new specimens under manageable lighting.
• Increase intensity gradually if necessary.
• Avoid sudden changes to the lighting schedule.
• Monitor tentacle extension and coloration.
• Reduce intensity if bleaching or persistent tissue contraction occurs.
• Maintain a consistent daily photoperiod.

Blue-spectrum reef lighting can emphasize fluorescent pigments, but actual coloration depends on the specific coral and lighting conditions.

Water Flow Requirements

Hammer Corals prefer moderate, indirect, variable water movement.

The goal is to create gentle, natural swaying without forcing the tentacles sharply against the coral’s skeleton.

Excessively strong flow may damage delicate tissue and prevent normal expansion.

Ideal Water Movement

• Gentle, continuous tentacle motion.
• Variable circulation rather than a concentrated direct jet.
• Sufficient flow to prevent debris from accumulating.
• No prolonged tissue folding or forceful whipping.
• Adequate circulation throughout the surrounding rockwork.

Avoid placing the coral directly in front of a powerful wavemaker or return nozzle.

Feeding and Nutrition

The Aussie Toxic Stem Hammer is primarily photosynthetic and obtains much of its energy from symbiotic algae within its tissues.

However, Hammer Corals can also capture small food particles.

Supplemental feeding is optional but may support growth and tissue health.

Suitable Foods

• Small mysis shrimp
• Finely chopped marine shrimp
• Appropriate LPS coral pellets
• Small zooplankton-based foods
• Quality coral nutrition preparations

Recommended Feeding Schedule

Offer small amounts of appropriate food approximately once or twice per week, if desired.

Use a feeding pipette to gently place food near the coral’s extended tentacles.

Avoid force-feeding, oversized food pieces, and unnecessary overfeeding.

Remove uneaten food when practical to maintain water quality.

Placement and Coral Compatibility

Ideal Placement

The Aussie Toxic Stem Hammer can be positioned in the middle portion of a mature reef aquarium where lighting and water movement are suitable.

Choose stable rockwork offering:

• Moderate illumination
• Indirect, variable circulation
• A secure mounting location
• Room for tentacle expansion
• Space for additional colony growth
• Separation from aggressive neighboring corals

Temperament and Sweeper Tentacles

Hammer Corals are considered semi-aggressive because they possess stinging cells and may extend specialized sweeper tentacles.

These can injure neighboring corals, especially when colonies are crowded.

Allow approximately 4–6 inches or more of clearance, adjusting as needed for the specimen’s actual expanded size and observed tentacle reach.

Hammer Coral Gardens

Hammer Corals can create spectacular displays when combined with compatible varieties.

However, not all Hammer, Torch, and Frogspawn Corals are mutually compatible.

Avoid assuming that members of the broader Euphyllia group can safely touch one another. Monitor for aggression and provide separation when necessary.

Growth and Colony Development

Under favorable conditions, Hammer Corals can gradually develop additional skeletal growth.

Branching forms may produce new heads as their skeletal branches develop, while wall forms extend their continuous skeletal structure.

Growth depends on:

• Stable alkalinity and calcium
• Appropriate lighting
• Consistent water circulation
• Suitable nutrient availability
• General coral health
• Available growing space

The precise growth form of the Aussie Toxic Stem Hammer should be established from the specific specimen rather than inferred from its trade name.

Acclimation and Introduction Instructions

1. Inspect the shipment: Check the coral and shipping container immediately upon arrival.
2. Verify water conditions: Confirm stable temperature, salinity, alkalinity, and other important parameters.
3. Equalize temperature: Gradually bring the sealed shipping container toward aquarium temperature.
4. Use appropriate acclimation procedures: Avoid unnecessarily prolonged exposure to opened shipping water.
5. Inspect the coral: Check tissue, skeleton, and attachment surfaces for pests or damage.
6. Use a suitable coral dip when appropriate: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for fleshy LPS corals.
7. Quarantine when possible: Observe new livestock separately before introducing it into a display aquarium.
8. Choose an appropriate location: Place the coral where it receives moderate lighting and indirect flow.
9. Secure the skeleton or base: Never attach mounting materials directly to living tissue.
10. Allow recovery time: Tentacles may remain contracted temporarily following shipment.
11. Monitor closely: Observe polyp expansion, tissue condition, coloration, and any signs of deterioration.

Never pour coral dip or shipping water directly into the display aquarium.

Signs of a Healthy Hammer Coral

Healthy Hammer Corals commonly exhibit:

• Full, fleshy polyp expansion
• Gentle tentacle movement in appropriate flow
• Consistent coloration
• Living tissue covering the active skeletal areas
• No progressive tissue recession
• Gradual skeletal or head development over time

Temporary contraction after handling or shipping can be normal.

However, persistent closure, rapidly receding tissue, exposed skeleton, or brown jelly-like material may indicate serious stress or disease.

Promptly evaluate aquarium conditions and seek experienced coral-health advice if deterioration develops.

Important Product Information

The Aussie Toxic Stem Hammer is a live LPS coral intended for established saltwater reef aquariums.

Toxic Stem is an aquarium-trade designation, not a recognized scientific species name.

Aqua SD identifies this coral as Aussie Toxic Stem Hammer, supplier SKU AD26582FB, and presents it as a WYSIWYG specimen.

The precise scientific species, skeletal growth form, individual coloration, dimensions, and number of heads have not been independently verified from the product text.

If you are reselling the exact pictured specimen, confirm that the photograph corresponds to your available inventory before advertising the product as WYSIWYG.

If multiple similar specimens are available, use the photograph as a representative image unless the specific coral shipped is guaranteed.

Color appearance may differ between white, blue, and actinic aquarium lighting.

This coral is not suitable for freshwater aquariums.

Availability and Pricing

We ship daily, contact us for availability and price.

Recommended Application

The Aussie Toxic Stem Hammer is a beautiful choice for established mixed reef aquariums, premium Australian LPS collections, and dedicated Hammer Coral gardens.

With its flowing tentacles, attractive collector appeal, moderate lighting preference, and captivating natural movement, this coral can become an impressive focal point in a carefully maintained saltwater aquarium.