All purple hammer?

[mcsassy]

I found this coral on this auction site...I really like it and was wondering if it's rare because I have never seen this coloration at any LFS.

http://www.aquaticauction.com/iSynApp/auctionDisplay.action?sid=151&auctionId=70097

Do the different colorations have different scientific names? I really want one if someone can point me somewhere where they are readily available. = )

 

[Ken b]

I've never seen a purple hammer, but don't doubt that they exist.

 

[mcsassy]

Do you think it's the same as this? I wonder what they look like in person, because the description in the second link says purple with orange tips.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/sale-trade/55645-orange-tip-purple-hammer-coral-100-00-a.html

 

[mcsassy]

This one too?

http://www.reefs.org/library/aquarium_net/0197/images/hammer1.jpg

I'm not really finding them for sale anywhere...

 

[mcsassy]

I think this is the one.

http://www.tidalgardens.com/pages/coral/anchor.html

Has anybody purchased from this site before? It requires an account to add an item to the cart.

 

[fsn77]

I can't say that I've seen them in person, but that is rather interesting.

I doubt the different color variations are different species, so they would be called by the same genus and species names (think of ocellaris clowns -- the orange variety and the black variety are the same species). It's possible that they may, however, have a locale or color variation tagged to the end of the name. Even so, it would be rare for anyone outside of the scientific community to state anything beyond the genus and species names.

 

[Fishieness]

It looks more like the last one you posted is a standard orange, but that may be just the lighting.
You are correct in assuming that they are the same species. Just a different variant. All of the purple hammers I have seen are from aussie.
However, of the ones I have personally seen, it's not like they are screaming purple like you will find with some acans. It is more of a steel with purple undertones.
They are a very, very nice coral, but IMHO, are not really worth the extra money, color-wise. They are more rare and a great collector's piece, but they do not have that crazy color that really pops out in a tank full of color.

 

[mcsassy]

It looks more like the last one you posted is a standard orange, but that may be just the lighting.
You are correct in assuming that they are the same species. Just a different variant. All of the purple hammers I have seen are from aussie.
However, of the ones I have personally seen, it's not like they are screaming purple like you will find with some acans. It is more of a steel with purple undertones.
They are a very, very nice coral, but IMHO, are not really worth the extra money, color-wise. They are more rare and a great collector's piece, but they do not have that crazy color that really pops out in a tank full of color.

Thanks for the descriptions. Where have you seen them in person? I'm not a "collector" by any means...I just like colorful stuff. :dance2:

 

[Fishieness]

we've gotten a few in in the shop I work at.
Once again, don't get me wrong. They are awesome. But just don't expect a super true purple.