Why did my Candy Swirl Chalice Coral lose its bold swirl colors after moving it higher in the tank?

It likely photobleached or shifted pigments from increased PAR and spectrum changes. This coral holds fluorescence best under blue-heavy light with moderate PAR (80–150). Keep nutrients non-zero (nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.1) and stable alk (8–9 dKH). Acclimate upward slowly, reduce white channels, and avoid abrupt trace swings—potassium and iron stability supports reds/pinks.

The tissue is receding from the rim—what’s the usual cause and fix?

Edge recession often stems from sand abrasion, alkalinity swings, pest irritation (vermetids), or detritus settling on the rim. Move it onto a smooth rock or tile, increase gentle crossflow, stabilize parameters, and remove vermetids. An iodine-based dip can help. If necrosis advances, cut 3–5 mm into healthy skeleton past the dead margin and remount.

What’s the best feeding strategy without attracting shrimp thieves or causing film algae?

Feed after lights out when feeding tentacles extend. Use a feeding dome or cut bottle to cover the coral, and pre-distract shrimp with a small pellet elsewhere. Offer small-particle foods (reef roids, fine mysis slurry) 1–2× weekly. Keep flow low during feeding, then restore. Rinse frozen foods and avoid overdoing it to limit biofilm.

How aggressive is this chalice at night, and how far should I space it?

Expect sweeper tentacles up to 2–3 inches after dark, with strong stings to nearby LPS and softies. Give at least 3 inches of clearance (more if flow pushes sweepers). Run fresh carbon and maintain good export to mitigate allelopathy. Keep away from equally feisty neighbors like favias or other chalices to prevent mutual damage.

TSA Candy Swirl Chalice Coral

Chalice LPS

Overview

Candy Swirl Chalice Coral shows swirled contrasting rings and raised eyes across a thin plating surface. Echinophyllia sp. is a large-polyp stony, plating to encrusting coral that prefers low to moderate light and gentle, indirect flow. It is photosynthetic via symbiotic algae but benefits from occasional small meaty feedings at night, which can support faster growth and richer color. Place on lower rockwork or sand with space around it, as nighttime sweeper tentacles can sting nearby corals.

Quick Facts

Care Moderate

Lighting Low–Moderate

Flow Low–Moderate

Placement Low–Mid

Temperament Semi-aggressive (3–6 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 dKH

Magnesium 1300–1400 ppm

Feeding photosynthetic, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, rotifers, copepods, zooplankton, microplankton, coral-specific powdered foods, marine snow

Care & Placement

Candy Swirl Chalice Coral (Echinophyllia sp.) prefers low to moderate light (PAR ~80–150) and gentle, indirect flow that keeps debris from settling without lifting tissue. Start it on the sandbed or low rock ledge and light-acclimate over 2–3 weeks to prevent bleaching; move slightly brighter only if colors dull. Target feed 1–2 times weekly after lights out when feeding tentacles extend, using fine meaty foods (mysis slurries, reef roe, powdered coral foods). Maintain stable water: temperature 75–79°F (24–26°C), salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 8–9.5 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1250–1350 ppm, nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.02–0.08 ppm. Test alkalinity several times weekly and Ca/Mg weekly; dose small, consistent amounts rather than large corrections. This coral dislikes rapid swings and excessive light; stable, moderate nutrients support color and growth.Place low to mid-level with 3–6 inches of space from neighbors. Chalices can extend short sweepers and mesenterial filaments at night; avoid contact with aggressive LPS and stinging softies. Mount on a flat, stable surface and leave room for encrusting growth. Acclimate by temperature matching, a 30–45 minute drip, and a coral dip to reduce pests. Watch for edge recession (often too much light, pests, or unstable alkalinity), brown jelly (frag away necrotic tissue, iodine dip, increase flow), and detritus buildup (use a turkey baster and adjust flow). Keep pests like vermetids and flatworms in check, and protect from fish or inverts that may nip fleshy tissue.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the TSA Candy Swirl Chalice Coral

Why did my Candy Swirl Chalice Coral lose its bold swirl colors after moving it higher in the tank?

It likely photobleached or shifted pigments from increased PAR and spectrum changes. This coral holds fluorescence best under blue-heavy light with moderate PAR (80–150). Keep nutrients non-zero (nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.1) and stable alk (8–9 dKH). Acclimate upward slowly, reduce white channels, and avoid abrupt trace swings—potassium and iron stability supports reds/pinks.
The tissue is receding from the rim—what’s the usual cause and fix?

Edge recession often stems from sand abrasion, alkalinity swings, pest irritation (vermetids), or detritus settling on the rim. Move it onto a smooth rock or tile, increase gentle crossflow, stabilize parameters, and remove vermetids. An iodine-based dip can help. If necrosis advances, cut 3–5 mm into healthy skeleton past the dead margin and remount.
What’s the best feeding strategy without attracting shrimp thieves or causing film algae?

Feed after lights out when feeding tentacles extend. Use a feeding dome or cut bottle to cover the coral, and pre-distract shrimp with a small pellet elsewhere. Offer small-particle foods (reef roids, fine mysis slurry) 1–2× weekly. Keep flow low during feeding, then restore. Rinse frozen foods and avoid overdoing it to limit biofilm.
How aggressive is this chalice at night, and how far should I space it?

Expect sweeper tentacles up to 2–3 inches after dark, with strong stings to nearby LPS and softies. Give at least 3 inches of clearance (more if flow pushes sweepers). Run fresh carbon and maintain good export to mitigate allelopathy. Keep away from equally feisty neighbors like favias or other chalices to prevent mutual damage.