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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 variety of genera such as Echinopora, Oxypora, Mycedium, and Lithophyllon, presenting a diverse collection of corals with varying characteristics. Showcasing a stunning pink and purple body complemented by blue highlights, these corals feature eyes in vibrant shades ranging from yellow to green, to orange, with bright pink accents.
Demands and Hardiness
Chalice Corals necessitate generalized care due to the diverse nature of the various coral genera they encompass. They should be provided with moderate lighting around 100 PAR to ensure optimal coloration and overall health, as extremely intense light exceeding 400 PAR may lead to adverse effects on their well-being. These corals exhibit remarkable fluorescence, best appreciated under actinic LED lighting, with colors that may fade if lighting requirements are not met. A stable home reef aquarium with suitable lighting promotes vibrant coloration, particularly during winter months when light intensity is reduced.
Lighting
Chalice Corals thrive under moderate lighting conditions, ideally around 100 PAR. While they can tolerate more intense lighting, it is generally recommended to avoid excessively high PAR levels as this may detrimentally affect their health and coloration. Chalices display exceptional fluorescence, with their stunning colors best observed under actinic LED lighting.
Water Flow
Moderate water movement is essential for Chalice Corals to prevent detritus buildup that can lead to dead spots on the colonies. Conversely, excessively strong water flow may pose a risk of toppling the coral due to its sail-like structure, making it susceptible to being knocked over by strong currents. Maintaining a moderate water flow level ensures the coral's well-being and prevents debris accumulation.
Feeding
Chalice Corals heavily rely on the nutrients produced by their zooxanthellae, making them adept at consuming various food sources, including Mysis Shrimp, small critters, and pellets within the 6 to 13mm size range. Despite not exhibiting pronounced polyp extension, time-lapse videos reveal their voracious feeding behavior. Offering a variety of food types, such as frozen and pellet foods, enriches their diet and supports their nutritional needs.
Propagation
Chalice Corals are extensively propagated in captivity, making them an excellent candidate for aquaculture. Propagation methods often involve cutting colonies into large segments, allowing for proper healing before further fragmenting them into smaller, frag-sized pieces. This approach contributes to higher survival rates and successful propagation of Chalice Coral varieties in reef aquariums.
Localization & Habitat
In their natural habitat within the Indo-Pacific region, Chalice Corals can be found across islands like Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. These diverse locales serve as the native environments where Chalice Corals thrive, exhibiting a wide range of species and adaptations within the Indo-Pacific marine ecosystem.