Okay, we now know its a chalice... but what kind?

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gumbyke1

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Can anyone help me ID the coral below? When I first got it, it looked like it was at its end. It was completely lacking color (it was a very pale manilla color). Since then it has started to show very light shades of green, and very bright "hot" pink speckles. It is also on a disc skellatal structure, but I am beginning to belive that it was just grown on it, and that its not actually part of the coral.

Some of the photos were taken in the dard to show its feeding tentacles. I want to read up on information on them to ensure I am giving them the best placement. (lighting, flow, etc.)

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This might be the toughest one yet. Looks like an encinophyllia or echinomorpha. Ill look in the big book as well to help try and identify it. [smilie=worried.gif] [smilie=shake.gif]
 
Thanks. When I first got this guy I didnt think it was going to make it. I'm glad it did... its really cool and I havent seen anything like it. A few more details...

1. The skelatal disc it is growing on is about 4.5 inches in diameter

2. I dont think the disc is part of the coral becasue it is continuing to grow over the edges of the disc.

3. I would guess that it has around 50+ heads, which seem to grow with no symetrical reasoning. (they are randomly spaced).

4. Tentacles only come out in complete darkness, even when I "tempt" it by spraying food over it.

5. I have not seen any "sweeper" tentacles. They all appear to be for feeding.

6. It sits in the corner of the tank on the sand bed. 29 gallon w/ 250 watt MH.

Thanks for the help... I really appreciate it.

Chris
 
In the very middle, is there one mouth larger than the rest, or possibly one just offset?
 
No. The mouths appear to be the same size for the most part. The only difference in mouth sizes are that the ones closest to the edge appear to be a little smaller (probably because they are the "youngest").
 
I have had it for about 2 months now. I currently have it in a fairly low lighted area. Are there any features that point to it not being a chalice?
 
It looks like a Chalice to me, and I have a feeling it is normally pink and green. Have you target fed it anything? It is severely bleached, but alive. You said you got it like that, and have had it two months. I would think it needs more light, but I wouldn't move it into the blast zone. Just get it out where it can receive some light. Where did you keep it until now? A 29g isn't exactly a huge tank for a coral that size, so I have to think it got plenty of light. What color bulb?
 
I have target fed only once. It usually takes about an hour or so for the tentacles to come out after the lights go out. My bulb is a 250w 20k. It is a pendant that hangs about 12-14 inches above the tank. Here is a pic of the tank. You can see the coral in question is located at the bottom left of the tank (to the left of the green plate coral). I have some other corals I need help identifying in here as well. I didnt want to post too many at once though [smilie=smile.gif]

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Its a chalice. One of my nicest ones I bought like that. I was told that i didn't have light for about two weeks before I bought. Slowly add light to it and it will thrive. You really dont have to target feed it.
 
I like it packed... but yes, a new tank will soon be a must. Other than it looking "too packed" is thier anything wrong with keeping a tank packed if you keep your parmeters in line?
 
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