Aquacultured Reef Farmers Blue Chalice is a plating, wavy Echinopora coral. The Echinophyllia genus is not only one of the easier chalice corals to keep, in the wild they inhabit numerous habitats at various depths and water flow. Their adaptability to these multiple elements contributes to this being an easy coral to care for. In fact, if the edge of the coral is placed against any surface, like the glass of the aquarium, it will actually encrust onto it. While usually relatively peaceful, Blue Chalice corals are capable of stinging neighbouring corals with sweeper tentacles at night. Sufficient space is needed as this coral is very fast growing.
The shapes of the Echinophyllia species are generally an encrusting low rider formation of cups and folds. The middle of the coral can have significantly raised corallites that look like raised round, warty bumps. Their colors are endless, pretty much any combination, especially in the aquacultured varieties. The oral discs are usually a different solid color, contrasting with the colorful mottled fleshy body.
Difficulty Easy
Aggressiveness While usually relatively peaceful, all chalice corals are capable of stinging neighbouring corals with sweeper tentacles at night. Sufficient space is needed.
Water-flow
This type of LPS coral does best with a moderate (medium) amount of water flow. Provide just enough movement so that debris cannot collect on the coral's tissue.
Lighting
This coral thrives in lower lighting (PAR 50-100). T5's, Metal Halides, or LED's can all grow Echinopora corals when the proper PAR levels are provided. We recommend a 14-20K color spectrum to keep the blue coloration of the coral.
Tank Recommendations
Place on a rock or shelf as sand on the chalice will kill it if not removed. A well-feed live rock/reef environment is what is needed for your Chalice coral , along with some fish for organic matter production. A mature tank is recommended.
Diet and Feeding
In captivity, they do well in well-feed reef tanks. Like other LPS, they use their zooxanthellae for nutrition. Feed microplankton, cyclopeeze and other similar sized foods at night when feeder tentacles are present.
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