Why does my Crown Jewels Chalice Coral expand at night and recede by day?

Echinophyllia sp. is crepuscular/nocturnal. At night it extends feeding tentacles and inflates for particle capture; by day it conserves energy and protects tissue from light. If daytime recession worsens, reduce PAR to low–moderate, add gentle indirect flow, and increase microfood feedings after lights out. Check alkalinity stability and avoid vermetid snails or flatworms that can cause localized retraction.

How can I maintain its jewel-like coloration without bleaching or browning?

Provide low–moderate PAR (70–150), strong blue spectrum, and moderate nutrients (nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.1). Too much white light washes pigments; too little nutrition dulls colors. Trace stability (especially alkalinity 8–9.5 dKH and consistent salinity) supports fluorescence. Acclimate slowly when increasing light. If colors fade, reduce PAR 20–30%, feed small meaty foods twice weekly, and allow 2–3 weeks for recovery.

My chalice is receding from the rim inward. What’s the likely cause and fix?

Rim recession often follows alk swings, abrasive flow at the edge, or stings. Stabilize alkalinity and temperature, redirect flow to gentle cross-current, and give 2–3 inches of space. Target-feed amino-rich microfoods at night to fuel regrowth. For active tissue peel, do an iodine dip, trim back dead skeleton to a clean margin, and place in low light until a new lip forms.

Are there unique aggression concerns with this chalice?

Yes. It deploys long sweepers and mesenterial filaments at night, burning slower neighbors. Give 3–4 inches of perimeter and avoid close placement with Acanthastrea, Micromussa, and Favia. Conversely, fast encrusters can overgrow its rim if given contact points. Use isolated rocks or sand gaps, maintain nighttime spacing, and observe under blue light after dark to map sweeper reach.

TSA Crown Jewels Chalice Coral

Chalice

Overview

Crown Jewels Chalice Coral shows a low, encrusting plate with raised ridges and contrasting eye-like corallites. Classified as Echinophyllia sp., it is a hard, plating LPS coral that prefers low to moderate light and gentle to moderate water flow. It relies on symbiotic algae for energy but accepts small meaty foods at night, which can support growth and color. Place on stable rock with room around it, as sweeper tentacles can sting nearby corals.

Quick Facts

Care Moderate

Lighting Low–Moderate

Flow Moderate, indirect

Placement Low–Mid

Temperament Aggressive (4–6 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 1250–1350 ppm

Feeding photosynthetic, microplankton, zooplankton, rotifers, cyclops, oyster eggs, reef-specific powdered coral foods, finely chopped mysis, enriched brine shrimp nauplii

Care & Placement

Crown Jewels Chalice Coral (Echinophyllia sp.) prefers stable, nutrient-moderate systems with low to moderate light (75–150 PAR) and gentle, indirect flow that keeps detritus from settling on its flesh. Place it low to mid in the tank, on a flat rock or plug so it can encrust, and shade gradually if coming from dimmer light; use a light acclimation screen and increase intensity over 2–3 weeks. Keep 3–6 inches from neighbors; this coral can extend night sweepers and sting, yet it is easily damaged by more aggressive LPS. Target feed small meaty foods (mysis, chopped krill, reef roids) 1–2 times weekly after lights out when feeding tentacles show, and run a blue-leaning spectrum to help coloration. Maintain temperature 75–78°F (24–26°C), salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.10 ppm. Test weekly with reliable kits, verify salinity with a calibrated refractometer, and use an auto top-off for stability. Acclimate new pieces by dipping, inspecting for pests, and drip acclimating 20–30 minutes. Common issues: bleaching from too much light (lower PAR, increase nutrients), tissue recession from parameter swings (stabilize alk first), and bacterial rot on damaged edges (frag past dead tissue, iodine dip, improve flow). Handle by the plug; avoid flesh contact and strong direct flow.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the TSA Crown Jewels Chalice Coral

Why does my Crown Jewels Chalice Coral expand at night and recede by day?

Echinophyllia sp. is crepuscular/nocturnal. At night it extends feeding tentacles and inflates for particle capture; by day it conserves energy and protects tissue from light. If daytime recession worsens, reduce PAR to low–moderate, add gentle indirect flow, and increase microfood feedings after lights out. Check alkalinity stability and avoid vermetid snails or flatworms that can cause localized retraction.
How can I maintain its jewel-like coloration without bleaching or browning?

Provide low–moderate PAR (70–150), strong blue spectrum, and moderate nutrients (nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.1). Too much white light washes pigments; too little nutrition dulls colors. Trace stability (especially alkalinity 8–9.5 dKH and consistent salinity) supports fluorescence. Acclimate slowly when increasing light. If colors fade, reduce PAR 20–30%, feed small meaty foods twice weekly, and allow 2–3 weeks for recovery.
My chalice is receding from the rim inward. What’s the likely cause and fix?

Rim recession often follows alk swings, abrasive flow at the edge, or stings. Stabilize alkalinity and temperature, redirect flow to gentle cross-current, and give 2–3 inches of space. Target-feed amino-rich microfoods at night to fuel regrowth. For active tissue peel, do an iodine dip, trim back dead skeleton to a clean margin, and place in low light until a new lip forms.
Are there unique aggression concerns with this chalice?

Yes. It deploys long sweepers and mesenterial filaments at night, burning slower neighbors. Give 3–4 inches of perimeter and avoid close placement with Acanthastrea, Micromussa, and Favia. Conversely, fast encrusters can overgrow its rim if given contact points. Use isolated rocks or sand gaps, maintain nighttime spacing, and observe under blue light after dark to map sweeper reach.

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