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 various genera such as Echinopora, Oxypora, Mycedium, and Lithophyllon, presenting a diverse collection of corals with unique characteristics that are commonly grouped together. The assortment of colors and patterns within this coral category creates a visually appealing addition to reef tanks.
Demands and Hardiness
Chalice Corals require moderate lighting, with around 100 PAR recommended for optimal coloration and health. While they can tolerate more intense lighting, exposure to light exceeding 400 PAR may cause fading colors depending on the specific species. These corals exhibit remarkable fluorescence, especially under actinic LED lighting, and thrive in stable reef aquarium environments. Moderate water flow is essential to prevent detritus build-up and potential toppling due to strong currents.
Lighting
For Chalice Corals, moderate lighting around 100 PAR is ideal, although they can endure higher intensity light levels with caution. Extremely intense light, exceeding 400 PAR, should be avoided to prevent color fading. Actinic LED lighting enhances the fluorescence of Chalice Corals, showcasing their vibrant colors and patterns effectively. These corals tend to display their best appearance under less intense winter lighting conditions.
Water Flow
Moderate water movement is recommended for Chalice Corals to prevent the accumulation of detritus, which can create dead spots on the colonies. Excessive flow should be avoided as the unique colony shapes of Chalices can act as sails, potentially causing them to topple over if subjected to strong currents.
Feeding
Chalice Corals heavily rely on their zooxanthellae for nutrition but are surprisingly voracious eaters. These corals consume a variety of foods including Mysis Shrimp, small critters, and pellets, even though they do not exhibit pronounced polyp extension while feeding. Using time-lapse videos, it is observed that Chalice Corals consume substantial amounts of food, contributing to their overall health and vitality.
Propagation
Chalice Corals have been successfully propagated in captivity and are recognized as ideal candidates for aquaculture. Propagation techniques involve cutting colonies into large sections, allowing them to heal before further fragmenting them into smaller pieces. This approach typically results in higher survival rates during propagation efforts.
Localization & Habitat
Chalice Corals are commonly found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including areas such as Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. Their natural habitat consists of diverse reef environments where they contribute to the intricate ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity of coral reefs in the region.