Chalice Coral Care Guide
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The short answer: Chalice corals are intermediate encrusting and plating LPS corals that prefer low to moderate light, roughly PAR 60–150, and low to moderate indirect flow. Place them on lower rockwork with open space around them, because they can extend sweeper tentacles at night. They are photosynthetic, and many reefers also target feed meaty foods after lights out, when the feeding tentacles come out. Slow, careful acclimation to light is one of the most important parts of keeping them.
Quick facts
| Topic | Chalice |
|---|---|
| Care level | Intermediate |
| Lighting | Low to Moderate |
| PAR guidance | PAR 60–150 |
| Flow | Low to Moderate, indirect |
| Placement | Lower rockwork; can sweep at night |
| Behavior | Can extend sweeper tentacles after lights out. |
| Compatibility | Allow generous spacing to prevent nighttime sweeper contact. |
| Feeding | Target feed meaty foods after lights out |
What is a chalice coral?
"Chalice" is a trade name, not a single genus. It covers several encrusting and plating LPS corals with similar care needs, most often from the genera Echinophyllia, Oxypora and Mycedium; corals from other genera, such as Echinopora, are sometimes sold under the same name. A chalice typically has a thin layer of tissue over a flat or cupped skeleton, dotted with mouths that hobbyists call "eyes." Many named chalices are traded under collector names that describe their look rather than their species.
Because the name covers several genera, small differences between pieces are normal. The care below is the shared baseline that suits most chalices.
Light and placement
Chalices do best in low to moderate light. They are more sensitive to a sudden jump in light than many LPS corals, so acclimation matters. Start a new frag low in the tank, at the bottom of the PAR range or in a partly shaded spot, and move it up gradually over several weeks only if it looks healthy. Signs that the light is too strong include tissue turning pale, tissue pulling back from the edges, or the polyps staying tight instead of full.
Lower rockwork suits most pieces. Plating chalices grow outward like a shelf, so place them where the edge can grow without touching other corals or shading the corals below. Mount the frag firmly; a loose plate that rocks in the current can damage its own tissue.
Flow
Low to moderate, indirect flow is ideal: enough movement to keep detritus from settling on the flat surface, but not a strong jet hitting the tissue directly. If you notice debris collecting on the plate, increase flow a little or gently blow it off with a turkey baster. If the tissue looks pinched or thin on the side facing a pump, the flow is too direct.
Feeding
Chalices get much of their energy from light, but they also take food readily. Their feeding tentacles usually come out after lights out, so the most effective time to target feed is shortly after the lights go off. Offer small meaty foods such as finely chopped seafood, mysis or a fine coral food, released gently over the surface with the pumps off for a few minutes. Feed lightly; uneaten food adds nutrients to the tank.
Water parameters
- Temperature: about 76–80°F
- Salinity: about 1.025–1.026 SG
- Alkalinity: about 7–11 dKH
- Calcium: about 400–450 ppm
- Magnesium: about 1250–1400 ppm
- Nitrate and phosphate: low but not zero; very low nutrient levels tend to stress plating LPS
Stability matters more than a perfect number. Chalices often react to swings in alkalinity, temperature or salinity by pulling tissue back from the edges, so keep conditions steady and make changes slowly.
Neighbors and spacing
Chalices look calm during the day, but after lights out they can extend sweeper tentacles that sting corals within reach. Allow generous spacing on all sides. Watch for contact with other aggressive LPS such as Euphyllia, Favia and Favites, which can damage a chalice at night just as a chalice can damage them.
Plating growth creates a second risk: shading. A chalice that grows over the top of another coral blocks its light, and corals below a wide plate get less flow. Plan where the edge will go as the coral grows.
Common problems
- Tissue turning pale or white after a move: usually too much light too fast. Move the coral lower or shade it, then acclimate more slowly.
- Edges receding: often parameter swings, too-direct flow, or night contact with a neighbor's sweepers. Check stability and spacing first.
- Detritus or film on the surface: flow is too low or the spot is too sheltered. Increase indirect flow slightly and blow the surface clean.
- Tissue loss in one area, spreading: can follow an injury or infection. Many reefers remove the coral, give it a coral dip, and remove any clearly dying section to protect the rest.
- Little or no visible change for a long time: chalices are often slow growers, especially in their first weeks in a new tank. Stable conditions matter more than adjustments.
How our listings work
TIA listings come in three kinds:
- WYSIWYG: The photo is taken individually, and you will receive the exact coral shown.
- Stock: The photo is a stock reference image; yours will be very similar.
- Cut to order: You receive a fresh-cut frag of about 1–2 inches from the colony shown; it will be very similar. Fresh-cut frags need at least 2 weeks to heal before they ship.
See the Help Center for shipping and arrival details.
FAQ
Are chalice corals hard to keep?
They are intermediate. Most problems come from too much light too quickly or unstable parameters. In a stable tank with moderate light and gentle flow, they are usually manageable.
How much light does a chalice need?
Low to moderate light, roughly PAR 60–150. Start new frags at the lower end and increase light slowly over several weeks.
Are chalice corals aggressive?
They can be. Chalices can extend sweeper tentacles after lights out, so allow generous spacing to prevent nighttime contact with other corals.
When should I feed a chalice?
After lights out, when the feeding tentacles come out. Offer small meaty foods gently over the surface with the pumps briefly turned off.
Why is "chalice" not a single species?
It is a trade name for a group of encrusting and plating LPS corals from several genera, most often Echinophyllia, Oxypora and Mycedium, that share a similar look and similar care.