Introduction to Chalice Coral Care
Guest Writer2 hours ago
The 3 main genus of corals that fall under the “Chalice” name are Mycedium, Oxypora, and Echinophyllia. While there are other genus that are also considered Chalice corals we will focus on these three for the remainder of the article.
Mycedium are typically smooth in texture with bumpy “eyes.” These chalices tend to grow in a large plating fashion, similar to Monti caps, and with time and the right conditions, can begin to curl upwards at the edges, beginning to cup. These chalices have prominent polyps or “eyes” and are very easy to care for. Some common strains of chalices that are Mycedium you’ll find are Avatar and Space Invader.
In contrast to the smooth look of Mycedium Oxypora, they tend to be quite jagged with small, sharp bumps and ridges appearing across their growth. Some Oxypora have obvious eyes like Mycedium, while others have eyes that blend into their body, making them appear very small and disprate.
Echinophyllia are some of the most popular chalice families in the hobby. Many rainbow chalices are Echinophyllia, as are popular strains such as mummy eye and watermelon. Echinophyllia tend to have bold contrast and very bright “eyes.” Under proper care, they can grow very rapidly and become prime candidates for propagation. Echinophyllia tend to have small bumps across their body, and when viewed up close, this can make them appear bubbly.
Each has its own unique characteristics and appearance, that vary between the multiple different species under each genus. However, overall their most prominent characteristic is, by far, their coloration. Chalice range from vibrant shades of green, red, blue, and purple to pinks, golds, yellows, and oranges. Almost every color you can imagine! They also can have incredible, intricate patterns and markings, dependent on their species. Which can make for an insane blend of colors that is highly desired by Reefers!
For more information, including water parameters, photos of types to help with your recognition and recommended PAR levels please go:
Introduction to Chalice Coral Care | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog
Chalice Corals are some of the most well known Large Polyp Stony (LPS) corals out there! They come from several different countries in the central Indo-Pacific region, where they are usually found on…
reefbuilders.com