More info
Datasheet
| Care Description | Chalice Corals are a broad collection of corals that are loosely jumbled together. Several different genera of corals are represented ranging from Echinopora, Oxypora, Mycedium, and even Lithophyllon. As such, care requirements are going to be generalized more than other corals because these are very different corals that all get lumped in together. Please see below for more care tips for Chalice Corals. |
| Water Flow | Moderate |
| Temperature | 22.2°C / 71.96°F - 25.6°C / 78.08°F |
| Specific Gravity | 1.023-1.026 |
| Carbonate Hardness | 8-12 |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
General Description
Chalice Corals encompass a diverse group of corals from genera like Echinopora, Oxypora, Mycedium, and Lithophyllon, known for their loosely clustered appearance. The Miami Hurricane Chalice, a popular variety, features a blue-purple base with red eyes bordered in neon yellow/green, displaying rapid growth and striking aesthetics.
Demands and Hardiness
Chalice corals require a generalized care approach due to the varied nature of the genera they encompass. Ideal conditions entail moderate lighting around 100 PAR, though some may tolerate more intense light up to 400 PAR. Extremes in lighting can cause color fading. They exhibit impressive fluorescence best observed under actinic LEDs, with coloration appearing more vibrant in stable home reef aquariums than in intense summer lighting. Moderate water flow is crucial to prevent detritus buildup and avoid toppling due to their sail-like colony structure.
Lighting
Moderate lighting of approximately 100 PAR is recommended for optimal coloration and health of Chalice Corals. While they can tolerate higher light levels, prolonged exposure to extremely intense lighting may adversely affect their vibrancy. Actinic LEDs can bring out the vivid fluorescence that these corals are known for, with winter lighting conditions enhancing their appearance.
Water Flow
Chalice corals thrive in environments with moderate water movement to prevent detritus accumulation, which can lead to dead spots. Excessive flow should be avoided as it may cause colonies to topple over due to their unique shape acting as a sail in strong currents.
Feeding
Chalice corals heavily rely on their zooxanthellae for nutrition but are surprisingly voracious eaters, consuming various foods like Mysis Shrimp, small critters, and pellets. Despite minimal polyp extension, time-lapse videos reveal their substantial food intake, demonstrating their adaptability to different food types from frozen to pellet options.
Propagation
Chalice corals have been successfully propagated in captive settings, making them excellent candidates for aquaculture. To promote high survival rates, colonies are often cut into large sections, allowed to heal, and then further fragmented into frag-sized pieces, with some varieties showcasing better propagation success than others.
Localization & Habitat
Originating from the Indo-Pacific region, Chalice Corals are found across various islands such as Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. Their natural habitat includes diverse reef ecosystems, reflecting their adaptability to different environmental conditions within the region.