Chalice Coral Care Guide

Chalice Coral is a hobbyist term encompassing multiple genera including Echinophyllia, Mycedium, Oxypora, Pectinia, Echinopora, and occasionally Lithophyllon, grouped by shared visual characteristics rather than strict taxonomic relationships. Chalice Coral taxonomy has changed significantly over time, with many species once classified under the now-defunct Pectiniidae family redistributed to other families.

Chalice Corals share common traits including encrusting or plating growth forms, fluorescent coloration with contrasting polyp "eyes," and textured ridges that give mature colonies their characteristic cup-like appearance. Reef keepers should note that care requirements vary somewhat between Chalice genera, with Oxypora preferring lower light than Mycedium species.

Chalice Corals require placement in the lower to middle portions of the aquarium where PAR levels range from 50-150, avoiding the high-intensity lighting near the water surface that causes bleaching and tissue recession. Chalice Corals prefer horizontal positioning on rock surfaces or rubble where they can encrust and develop their characteristic plating growth without obstruction.

Chalice Coral placement must account for aggression, maintaining minimum 3-6 inch spacing from neighboring corals to prevent sweeper tentacle contact and chemical warfare through toxic mucus secretion. Reef keepers should view the tank at night with a red light to observe sweeper tentacle extension length on individual specimens, adjusting spacing based on actual reach rather than general guidelines.

Chalice Corals rank among the most aggressive LPS corals, employing sweeper tentacles, mesenterial filaments, and toxic mucus secretion to damage or kill neighboring corals that encroach on their territory. Chalice Coral aggression varies between genera and individual specimens, with some varieties like the Hollywood Stunner extending notably long sweeper tentacles while others rely primarily on chemical warfare through their mucus coating.

Chalice Corals typically extend sweeper tentacles at night, making evening observation essential for assessing individual specimen aggression levels before finalizing placement decisions. Chalice Coral contact with other corals—even brief touching—often results in tissue damage to the neighbor, as the potent sting affects most coral species regardless of their own defensive capabilities.

Chalice Corals benefit significantly from occasional target feeding despite deriving nutrition from photosynthetic zooxanthellae, with fed specimens displaying enhanced growth rates, improved coloration, and better long-term health. Chalice Corals accept mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, reef roids, and other small meaty foods placed near their polyp mouths, with feeding most effective at night when polyps extend fully.

Chalice Coral feeding frequency of 1-2 times per week produces noticeable improvements without risking overfeeding problems that degrade water quality and stress coral tissue. Reef keepers should avoid excessive feeding that causes tissue swelling or nutrient spikes, as Chalice Corals can brown out when nitrate and phosphate levels rise too high.

Chalice Coral color loss typically results from excessive lighting intensity, elevated nutrients, or parameter instability that stresses the coral and disrupts its symbiotic zooxanthellae. Chalice Corals bleach readily when placed under PAR levels exceeding their tolerance, with specimens turning pale or white when light intensity overwhelms their pigmentation—a common problem when aquarists place Chalice Corals too high in the aquarium.

Chalice Coral browning often indicates high nitrate or phosphate levels causing zooxanthellae overgrowth that masks fluorescent pigmentation, while alkalinity below 7-8 dKH can trigger bleaching and tissue recession. Reef keepers experiencing Chalice Coral color loss should verify PAR levels fall within 50-150 range, confirm stable alkalinity above 8 dKH, and reduce nutrients if levels exceed 10 ppm nitrate or 0.1 ppm phosphate.

Chalice Coral tissue recession results from excessive lighting, parameter instability, pest infestation, or contact with aggressive tank mates that damage tissue faster than the coral can regenerate. Chalice Coral recession commonly begins at the edges or around polyp mouths when specimens experience chronic stress from inappropriate placement or unstable water chemistry.

Chalice Corals are susceptible to flatworms and parasitic snails that consume tissue and cause progressive recession if left untreated, requiring inspection and potential dipping when recession appears without obvious environmental cause. Reef keepers noticing Chalice Coral recession should first reduce lighting intensity, verify stable alkalinity and calcium levels, check for pest presence, and ensure no neighboring corals are contacting the specimen through sweeper tentacles or chemical secretions.

Chalice Corals thrive under low to moderate PAR levels between 50-150, with optimal intensity varying by genus—Oxypora species prefer 50-100 PAR, standard Echinophyllia varieties do well at 100-150 PAR, and some Mycedium types tolerate up to 150-200 PAR when acclimated gradually. Chalice Coral placement should target the lower to middle portions of the aquarium where lighting naturally falls within this range.

Chalice Coral coloration depends more on light spectrum than intensity, with blue-heavy lighting in the 14-20K range producing the most vibrant fluorescent expression regardless of PAR level. New Chalice Corals should begin at the lower end of recommended PAR and acclimate upward over 2-3 weeks, as excessive light causes bleaching that proves difficult to reverse once tissue damage occurs.