Why does my Hollywood Stunner suddenly recede from the edges even though parameters look fine?

This coral is hypersensitive to rapid alkalinity shifts; even 0.5 dKH swings can trigger edge peel. Also check for self-shading and trapped detritus under the plating rim, which promotes bacterial irritation. Stabilize alk and pH, increase gentle sub‑plate flow, and lightly turkey-baste debris. If recession continues, do an iodine or broad-spectrum coral dip and trim back to clean, healthy tissue to stop spread.

How can I maintain its neon color without bleaching or browning?

Start in low to moderate PAR (75–150), then slowly increase if needed. Excess light washes the green base; too little turns it muddy. Maintain stable nutrients (NO3 5–15 ppm, PO4 0.03–0.1) and moderate flow to keep the surface clean. Blue-heavy spectrum boosts “eye” fluorescence, but color depth improves when micronutrients (iodine, iron) are not bottomed out. Avoid sudden carbon dosing or aggressive GFO that strip nutrients.

My Stunner throws long sweepers at night—how do I manage aggression without stunting growth?

Give 6–8 inches of space down-current; its sweepers can exceed 4 inches and pack a punch. Redirect but don’t blast flow so tentacles don’t whip into neighbors. Use physical barriers or place tough, non-contact corals nearby. Prune outer plates that extend toward sensitive colonies, and maintain nighttime stability (no sudden pH/alk dips) since stress increases tentacle extension. Feed lightly after lights out to reduce foraging intensity.

What’s the safest way to frag an ultra-thin Hollywood Stunner plate?

Score, don’t snap. Use a diamond wheel or bone cutters to create shallow radial cuts from the rim toward the center, then complete passes gently to prevent shattering. Aim for frags with at least one “eye.” Dip after cutting and glue to a plug with the cut edge slightly raised to avoid detritus accumulation. Provide low light for a week and moderate flow to promote tissue sealing along the fracture line.

Hollywood Stunner Chalice Coral

Chalice

Overview

Hollywood Stunner Chalice Coral shows a thin, plating growth form with bright green tissue and contrasting eyes. Echinopora lamellosa is a hard plating coral; it prefers moderate light and gentle to moderate, indirect water flow. It is photosynthetic via symbiotic algae but accepts small meaty foods, which can boost growth and deepen coloration. Place on open rockwork with space around it, as its sweeper tentacles can sting nearby corals at night.

Quick Facts

Care Easy

Lighting Low–Moderate

Flow Low–Moderate

Placement Low–Mid

Temperament Aggressive (6–8 inches spacing)

Recommended Parameters

Temp 76–80°F

pH 8.1–8.4

Salinity 1.025–1.026

Calcium 400–450 ppm

AlkAlkalinity 8–9.5 dKH

Magnesium 1280–1350 ppm

Feeding photosynthetic, microzooplankton, rotifers, copepods, cyclops, powdered coral foods (e.g., Reef-Roids), finely minced mysis shrimp, finely minced enriched brine shrimp

Care & Placement

Hollywood Stunner Chalice Coral (Echinopora lamellosa) prefers stable, nutrient-moderate systems with low to moderate light (PAR ~75–150) and gentle, indirect flow. Place it low to mid in the tank on a rock ledge so the plate can expand outward; avoid sand contact. Start in lower light and increase slowly over 2–3 weeks to prevent bleaching. Provide space—at least 4–6 inches—from neighbors; this coral can send out long nighttime sweepers and can overgrow nearby tissue. Feed small meaty foods (mysis, reef roids, finely chopped seafood) 1–2 times weekly, ideally after lights out when feeding tentacles extend; this supports growth and color and helps in lower nutrient tanks. Maintain flow that keeps the surface free of detritus without lifting tissue.Target parameters: temperature 76–79°F, salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1250–1350 ppm, nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.10 ppm. Test weekly and keep changes gradual; this species is sensitive to swings, especially in alkalinity and light. Acclimate with a 30–60 minute drip and a coral dip for pests, then light-acclimate with lower placement or screening. Common issues: bleaching (too much light; reduce intensity/photoperiod, increase shade), tissue recession (unstable alk or ultra-low nutrients; stabilize and feed), and detritus irritation (increase gentle flow, baste the surface). If recession starts at the rim, frag healthy sections ahead of the die-off.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Hollywood Stunner Chalice Coral

Why does my Hollywood Stunner suddenly recede from the edges even though parameters look fine?

This coral is hypersensitive to rapid alkalinity shifts; even 0.5 dKH swings can trigger edge peel. Also check for self-shading and trapped detritus under the plating rim, which promotes bacterial irritation. Stabilize alk and pH, increase gentle sub‑plate flow, and lightly turkey-baste debris. If recession continues, do an iodine or broad-spectrum coral dip and trim back to clean, healthy tissue to stop spread.
How can I maintain its neon color without bleaching or browning?

Start in low to moderate PAR (75–150), then slowly increase if needed. Excess light washes the green base; too little turns it muddy. Maintain stable nutrients (NO3 5–15 ppm, PO4 0.03–0.1) and moderate flow to keep the surface clean. Blue-heavy spectrum boosts “eye” fluorescence, but color depth improves when micronutrients (iodine, iron) are not bottomed out. Avoid sudden carbon dosing or aggressive GFO that strip nutrients.
My Stunner throws long sweepers at night—how do I manage aggression without stunting growth?

Give 6–8 inches of space down-current; its sweepers can exceed 4 inches and pack a punch. Redirect but don’t blast flow so tentacles don’t whip into neighbors. Use physical barriers or place tough, non-contact corals nearby. Prune outer plates that extend toward sensitive colonies, and maintain nighttime stability (no sudden pH/alk dips) since stress increases tentacle extension. Feed lightly after lights out to reduce foraging intensity.
What’s the safest way to frag an ultra-thin Hollywood Stunner plate?

Score, don’t snap. Use a diamond wheel or bone cutters to create shallow radial cuts from the rim toward the center, then complete passes gently to prevent shattering. Aim for frags with at least one “eye.” Dip after cutting and glue to a plug with the cut edge slightly raised to avoid detritus accumulation. Provide low light for a week and moderate flow to promote tissue sealing along the fracture line.

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