Green Chalice Coral

Chalice corals (Echinophyllia sp. / Echinopora sp.) grow as flat, plating or cup-shaped colonies that encrust across rock in a way that shows off an almost painted-looking surface pattern — irregular calices, contrasting corallite centers, and color combinations that look deliberately artistic rather than biological. They're prized specifically for how much visual texture and patterning they pack into a slow-growing, relatively low-maintenance package.

Moderate light works best for chalice corals, and this runs against the usual "more light is better" instinct reef keepers tend to develop. Too much intensity — especially from a newly upgraded LED running at full power — causes bleaching and color loss, not improved growth. Many of the most dramatically colored chalice morphs look their best at 80–150 µmol PAR, which is significantly lower than what you'd run for SPS. Mid to lower tank placement suits them well.

Direct high flow is also counterproductive — chalice corals want gentle, indirect water movement that removes waste from the surface without pummeling the tissue. Give it space to encrust outward without running into neighbors, and it'll reward patience with one of the more strikingly patterned corals in the tank.

Scientific name: Echinophyllia sp. / Echinopora sp. (chalice coral complex)
Origin: Indo-Pacific — deeper, lower-light reef zones and sheltered walls at 5–30m depth
Water parameters: Temp 74–82°F · Salinity 1.023–1.026 · pH 8.1–8.4 · Alkalinity 8–11 dKH · Calcium 380–450 ppm
Lighting: Low to moderate — 50–150 µmol PAR; mid to bottom tank placement
Flow: Low to gentle indirect flow; direct high flow stresses tissue
Tank requirements: 30+ gal; mid to lower tank placement with clearance for encrusting growth
Diet: Photosynthetic; target-feed meaty foods occasionally to support growth
Husbandry note: If a chalice starts losing color or developing pale patches, the first thing to check is lighting intensity, not water chemistry. Chalice bleaching from excess light is one of the more common — and avoidable — mistakes in LPS keeping.