My Darkside of the Moon’s “eyes” are shrinking—what’s the cause and fix?

Shrunken corallites usually signal stress from excess light, low nutrients, or unstable alkalinity. Target PAR around 80–120 with a blue-heavy spectrum, keep alk stable (8–9 dKH), and maintain measurable NO3 (5–15 ppm) and PO4 (0.03–0.1 ppm). Feed small particle foods after lights out near the mouths. Reduce light gradually (15–20% over a week) and avoid strong, direct flow on the rim.

How do I keep the dark base and neon eyes from washing out?

Color washes out under too much white light and ultra-low nutrients. Run moderate PAR with blues dominant, avoid rapid spectrum changes, and keep nutrients non-zero. Regular water changes help trace balance; potassium supports reds/pinks, iron and manganese support greens. If colors dull, lower PAR slightly, increase blue, and feed lightly 2–3x weekly to restore tissue thickness and pigment.

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

Echinophyllia extends long sweepers and mesenterial filaments after lights out, often 2–6 inches. Provide at least 4–6 inches clearance from neighbors—more if downcurrent targets are LPS or fleshy SPS. Avoid chaotic, direct flow that can whip sweepers into self-contact. If you spot stings, rotate the flow pattern, increase spacing, or elevate the chalice to a ledge where it won’t meet other tissue.

The rim is receding while the center looks fine—what’s the likely culprit?

Edge recession points to excessive localized flow, recent alkalinity or temperature swings, or irritation from vermetid snails or stinging neighbors. Reduce direct flow on the rim, stabilize parameters, and remove vermetids near the base. Trim dead skeleton to clean margins and dip in iodine if tissue looks compromised. Maintain steady nutrients and avoid big PAR jumps during recovery.

TSA Darkside of the Moon Chalice Coral

Chalice LPS

Overview

Darkside of the Moon Chalice Coral has raised corallite “eyes” on a ridged, plating surface. Echinophyllia sp. is a large-polyp stony plating coral that prefers low to moderate light and gentle to moderate water flow. It is photosynthetic with symbiotic algae but benefits from occasional small meaty feedings, which can support growth and maintain color. Place low to mid in the tank with space around it, and keep clear of neighbors because its nighttime sweeper tentacles can sting other corals.

Quick Facts

Care Moderate

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 dKH

Magnesium 1280–1350 ppm

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

Care & Placement

Darkside of the Moon Chalice Coral (Echinophyllia sp.) thrives under stable, low-to-moderate light (PAR ~50–150) with indirect illumination; acclimate slowly using reduced intensity or mesh screens to avoid bleaching. Provide gentle, varied flow that keeps detritus off the surface without lifting tissue. Target feed 1–2 times weekly after lights out with small meaty foods (mysis, reef roids) and occasional amino acids; feeding supports growth and color when light is modest. Maintain temperature 76–79°F (24–26°C), salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.0–8.4, alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.08 ppm. This species dislikes rapid swings, especially in alkalinity and light; use an auto top-off, regular testing, and gradual adjustments. Run fresh carbon to reduce chemical warfare in mixed reefs.Place low to mid in the tank on a flat rock or shelf so it can encrust; avoid abrasive sand and direct powerhead flow. Leave 3–6 inches from neighbors; at night it can extend long stingers and is semi-aggressive. Acclimate with a drip method, dip to remove pests, and quarantine if possible. Watch for pale tissue (too much light), receding edges (unstable parameters or pests), or algae settling on the rim (insufficient flow); address by correcting PAR/flow, stabilizing chemistry, and spot cleaning with a turkey baster. Trim back fast-growing neighbors before contact, and monitor parity between nutrients and light to keep color stable.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the TSA Darkside of the Moon Chalice Coral

My Darkside of the Moon’s “eyes” are shrinking—what’s the cause and fix?

Shrunken corallites usually signal stress from excess light, low nutrients, or unstable alkalinity. Target PAR around 80–120 with a blue-heavy spectrum, keep alk stable (8–9 dKH), and maintain measurable NO3 (5–15 ppm) and PO4 (0.03–0.1 ppm). Feed small particle foods after lights out near the mouths. Reduce light gradually (15–20% over a week) and avoid strong, direct flow on the rim.
How do I keep the dark base and neon eyes from washing out?

Color washes out under too much white light and ultra-low nutrients. Run moderate PAR with blues dominant, avoid rapid spectrum changes, and keep nutrients non-zero. Regular water changes help trace balance; potassium supports reds/pinks, iron and manganese support greens. If colors dull, lower PAR slightly, increase blue, and feed lightly 2–3x weekly to restore tissue thickness and pigment.
How aggressive is this chalice at night, and how much space should I give it?

Echinophyllia extends long sweepers and mesenterial filaments after lights out, often 2–6 inches. Provide at least 4–6 inches clearance from neighbors—more if downcurrent targets are LPS or fleshy SPS. Avoid chaotic, direct flow that can whip sweepers into self-contact. If you spot stings, rotate the flow pattern, increase spacing, or elevate the chalice to a ledge where it won’t meet other tissue.
The rim is receding while the center looks fine—what’s the likely culprit?

Edge recession points to excessive localized flow, recent alkalinity or temperature swings, or irritation from vermetid snails or stinging neighbors. Reduce direct flow on the rim, stabilize parameters, and remove vermetids near the base. Trim dead skeleton to clean margins and dip in iodine if tissue looks compromised. Maintain steady nutrients and avoid big PAR jumps during recovery.