Chalice Coral

Chalice is a common name that reef keepers use for a wide range of encrusting and plating stony corals, most often from genera like Echinophyllia, Oxypora, and Mycedium. These LPS corals are known for their unique surface texture and vast range of colour combinations, making them a long-standing favourite for collectors.

Most chalice corals grow by encrusting over the rockwork, eventually forming thin plates that can create ledges and interesting structures in the aquascape. The surface is dotted with raised corallites, often referred to as "eyes," which can be a contrasting colour to the main body of the coral. In terms of colour, chalice corals can be found in almost any combination imaginable, commonly displaying patterns of green, red, orange, pink, and deep purple.

For best results, place your chalice coral in a low to moderate light area of the reef, with a PAR range of 75-150 being a good starting point. They prefer gentle, indirect water flow that is just strong enough to keep their surface clean of detritus. While they gain much of their energy from photosynthesis, they benefit greatly from occasional target feeding with meaty foods like mysis shrimp. Perhaps the most important care requirement is giving them space. Chalice corals possess long and potent sweeper tentacles that they extend at night, so they must be placed far from other corals to prevent warfare. Standard reef parameters with stable alkalinity (8-9 dKH), calcium (420-440 ppm), and magnesium (1300-1400 ppm) will support their growth.

In a well-maintained aquarium, a chalice coral will slowly grow across the rocks, adding a unique contour and pattern to the reef. Its growth is typically slow and manageable, and it serves as a great centrepiece for a lower-energy LPS system when its aggressive nature is accounted for.

This is a WYSIWYG item, so you'll receive the exact specimen pictured.

We take livestock seriously. That's why we don't sell anything we wouldn't be comfortable putting in our own tank.

As we are direct from source, we import and sell direct to the public. This means you can buy with confidence knowing EMA prides itself on excellent handling and conditioning protocols.

Fish

All our fish held in a quarantine system for a minimum of 3 weeks. During this time, regular water changes are performed, and twice daily (or sometimes more) feedings are performed.

Copper is dosed and checked twice a day for ich and velvet.

During this treatment fish are given formalin baths for brooklynella and a minimum of 3 praziquantel doses is performed for flukes.

Coral

Our coral is quarantined for a minimum of 3 weeks, just like fish. During this time, regular water changes are performed, water testing done, and once a month a Fauna Marin ICP Total is performed.

Corals are inspected for pests/general health and are provided with a pest dip once a week for at least 3 weeks.

If we see signs of pests, the quarantine period is extended and/or additional dips are performed

If coral is bleached/unhealthy, it will remain in quarantine until healthy enough to sell.