{"product_id":"gold-eye-chalice-1","title":"Gold Eye Chalice","description":"\u003cp\u003eChalice corals from the family Merulinidae are a classic large polyp stony coral, appreciated for an encrusting or plating growth habit that can cover rockwork in a colourful sheet. They are a familiar sight in established reef aquariums. This variety is notable for its distinct, golden-yellow oral discs, or \"eyes,\" which create a sharp contrast against the main coral tissue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a home reef, a chalice will typically grow by encrusting the rockwork it is placed on, sometimes forming upward-growing plates or whorls as it matures. The surface has a bumpy, textured appearance, with each bump housing a polyp. While the base colouration of the coral tissue can range from deep greens to purples and reds, the defining feature here is the bright gold of the polyp mouths. At night, you may see short feeder tentacles extend from these eyes, a sign the coral is ready for a meal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor best results, place your chalice frag in an area of low to moderate light and flow, typically in the lower to middle sections of the tank. A PAR range of 75-150 is a good target, as too much light can cause the colours to fade. They are famously aggressive corals, known for sending out long sweeper tentacles after dark, so be sure to give them plenty of space—at least 15cm from their nearest neighbours is a safe bet. Chalice corals are active feeders and will benefit from weekly target feeding of small, meaty foods. Maintain stable water parameters, with calcium around 420-440 ppm, alkalinity between 8-9 dKH, and magnesium at 1300-1400 ppm. Acclimate slowly to both water and light to prevent shock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe unique growth form of a chalice makes it a great addition for adding colour and texture to the lower landscape of a mixed reef. Its plating habit can create overhangs and shaded areas, adding a new dimension to an aquascape. It is a relatively slow grower, which makes it manageable for the long term in a stable system that doesn't have aggressive coral-nipping fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a WYSIWYG listing; you'll receive a specimen of the same species with similar size and colouration to the one pictured, hand-picked for health and colour.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eastern Marine Aquariums","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42359286333495,"sku":"EMA-SPS-20260807-C101","price":45.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1849\/1739\/files\/d88ad7ed-cdb5-4243-b830-7842a8648c2d-_MG_4476.png?v=1786134607","url":"https:\/\/easternmarineaquariums.co.nz\/products\/gold-eye-chalice-1","provider":"EasternMarine Aquariums","version":"1.0","type":"link"}