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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 comprise a diverse group of corals from genera such as Echinopora, Oxypora, Mycedium, and Lithophyllon, showcasing a wide array of appearances and growth patterns. One striking example is the Super Watermelon Chalice, characterized by a green base with vivid red highlights and a brilliant red growth rim, alongside vibrant green eyes streaked with orange.
Demands and Hardiness:
Chalice corals require moderate lighting of approximately 100 PAR for optimal coloration and overall health. While they can tolerate more intense lighting up to a certain point, excessively bright light exceeding 400 PAR may negatively impact them, potentially causing color fading depending on the specific species. These corals exhibit remarkable fluorescence best appreciated under actinic LED lighting, with a preference for less intense light in the winter months to bring out their full beauty.
Water Flow:
Maintaining moderate water movement is crucial for Chalice Corals, as inadequate flow can lead to detritus accumulation on the colonies, creating dead spots that may compromise their health. Conversely, overly strong currents pose a risk of toppling the colonies due to their sail-like shape that catches the water flow.
Feeding:
Chalice corals heavily rely on the products of their zooxanthellae for nutrition but are surprisingly voracious eaters, consuming various food types such as Mysis Shrimp, small critters, and pellets ranging from 6 to 13mm in size. Despite not displaying pronounced polyp extension while feeding, time-lapse observations reveal their substantial food intake, emphasizing the importance of a diverse diet to support their well-being.
Propagation:
Chalice corals have been successfully propagated in captivity, making them excellent candidates for aquaculture efforts. Effective propagation techniques involve cutting colonies into large segments, allowing sufficient time for healing before further fragmentation into frag-sized pieces, promoting higher survival rates. Different chalice varieties exhibit varying levels of propagation success, with careful handling and optimal environmental conditions enhancing the likelihood of successful reproduction.
Localization & Habitat:
Indigenous to the Indo-Pacific region, Chalice Corals are commonly found across a range of islands, including Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. Their natural habitats typically feature diverse marine ecosystems with suitable lighting, water flow, and nutrient conditions conducive to the growth and proliferation of these captivating coral species.