Avatar Chalice - Echinophyllia sp.

Avatar Chalice (Echinophyllia sp.)

Avatar Chalice is a colourful LPS coral appreciated for its low-growing form, vivid reef colouration and attractive patterning across the tissue. Chalice corals can make excellent feature pieces on lower rockwork or carefully chosen shaded areas, adding a premium, encrusting display to a mature reef aquarium with stable water quality.

Common Name:
Avatar Chalice, Chalice Coral, Echinophyllia Chalice

Scientific Name (Latin):
Echinophyllia sp.

Coral Type:
LPS Coral

Growth Form:
Encrusting to plating growth form with a fleshy tissue layer over a hard skeleton.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Chalice corals are found across Indo-Pacific reef environments, often growing on reef slopes, ledges and lower-light rockwork where they receive indirect water movement and stable reef conditions.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Alkalinity: 7–10 dKH
Calcium: 400–450 ppm
Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
Nitrate: Low but detectable
Phosphate: Low but detectable

Lighting:
LOW TO MEDIUM
Avatar Chalice is best kept under low to medium reef lighting, especially when first introduced. Strong lighting should be approached carefully, as sudden exposure to high intensity can cause paling, tissue stress or colour loss. Gradual light acclimation is recommended.

Flow:
LOW TO MEDIUM
Provide gentle to moderate indirect flow that keeps the coral surface clean without blasting the tissue. Too much direct flow can irritate the fleshy surface, while too little flow may allow detritus to settle.

Placement:
Place on the sandbed, lower rockwork or a stable shaded area with room for outward growth. Avoid sharp rock edges pressing against the tissue and allow generous spacing from neighbouring corals, especially more delicate species.

Temperament / Aggression:
Semi-aggressive
Chalice corals can be aggressive towards nearby corals and may extend feeding or sweeper tentacles, particularly after dark. Provide adequate spacing to prevent stinging and avoid placing them where they may overgrow or contact other corals.

Feeding:
Photosynthetic, but benefits from feeding
Avatar Chalice receives energy from light through its symbiotic zooxanthellae, but occasional feeding can support colour and growth. Suitable foods include fine meaty coral foods, small mysis, powdered coral foods and LPS coral foods offered when feeding tentacles are extended.

Growth Rate:
Slow to moderate
Growth is usually steady rather than fast, with the coral gradually encrusting or plating across nearby surfaces. Stable alkalinity, moderate nutrients and consistent care are more important than heavy feeding or intense lighting.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Chalice corals prefer stable reef conditions and should be protected from sudden changes in light, salinity or alkalinity. Avoid direct strong flow, rough handling and detritus build-up on the tissue. Inspect carefully before introduction and use coral dips where appropriate, as pests or tissue damage can lead to recession. Give the coral time to settle before moving it repeatedly.

Suitable for:
Intermediate reefkeepers

Availability:
Premium coral

All images are a visual representation of the coral you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns, colours and growth form will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.