The Difference Between Branching and Walling Hammer Corals

The Difference Between Branching and Walling Hammer Corals

It can be challenging to differentiate between the two types of hammer corals. The branching hammer coral is also called the “tree” or “condenser”. This is probably because it has a bushy appearance that resembles tree branches. The walling hammer coral does not branch out and looks like an individual column.

Hammer coral

The hammer coral, also known as the dish, fan, or platter coral, has a flat and rounded base. The top of the coral has plates or “roofs” that rise and stand perpendicular to one another, forming a “hammerhead” shape.

Branching hammer corals

There are many different varieties of branch hammer corals that have branches that grow out from the main structure in various ways.

Branching types can be classified by their branching pattern and by how their stipes’ growth. They are often found in shallow waters near shorelines and have branching structures that are easy to recognize.

The different patterns are referred to as horn coral, candy cane coral, umbrella coral, pinwheel coral, and so on.

Walling hammer corals

The walling coral is a large, flat-topped, thick-bounded coral that branches out in a random pattern. The look of this coral closely resembles that of common table salt.

The walling coral is known for its ability to form a broad, flat top surface in warm water. The coral will grow to a size where its surface area is more significant than its burrowed volume.

A walling coral’s surface area is maximized when the water temperature is relatively low (sub 20 degrees Celsius). Similarly, the water current is relatively still (sub 5 mm/hour). The more time passes between feeding bouts, the greater the distance their branches can grow past one another, creating an extensive surface area. A walling coral can form a series of large overlapping plates carried away by currents.

Branching and Walling Hammer Corals

Walling corals also have thick skin, adding to their surface area. This coral type is a great competitor for the settlement of other organisms. 

When the water temperature increases or the water current picks up, this coral will shed its wall-like structure and return to growing branches that help maximize surface area in these warmer conditions.

Many branching corals are more sensitive to changes in current flow and light intensity on their surfaces than other types of coral. Branching corals living in low-light environments will not grow as brightly coloured as they would if they were located in a higher-light climate.

The true difference between these two types of corals lies in their growth habits. The branching variety grows by extending outwards from its base, while the walling type grows outwards from its base like a normal coral would.

The most striking difference between these corals is that walling corals have solid, angled walls. 

The branches of a branching hammer coral fan out in nearly all directions. The walling coral, on the other hand, has its stipes grow more at an angle towards the surface. The branches of both corals cover their surface as they extend outward. However, the coral’s branches do not. 

Another significant characteristic of both types is that they exist as colonies – a collection of many polyps who work together to feed, grow and reproduce.

Final thoughts: 

The final point is that every type of coral has advantages and disadvantages in each growth aspect. Some varieties are faster than others in acquiring nutrients from their food source, while others are more sensitive to changes in water flow and light intensity.