My Eye of Lava Chalice Coral is paling from the rim inward. What’s the likely cause and fix?

Rim recession often stems from too much light or stagnant edges where detritus collects. Echinophyllia sp. prefers low–moderate PAR with indirect flow. Reduce intensity or move it lower, increase gentle crossflow to keep the rim clean, and maintain stable alkalinity. Inspect for vermetid mucus nets irritating tissue. If necrosis spreads, frag a healthy section beyond the recession line and iodine dip.

How can I keep the “lava” reds and eyes vivid without bleaching?

Prioritize blue-heavy spectrum and gradual acclimation; these corals come from deeper, turbid zones. Keep PAR around 80–150, avoid sharp photoperiod shifts, and maintain modest nutrients (nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.1 ppm). Ultra-low nutrients wash out color. Occasional night feeding of small particulate foods and amino acids supports pigments; avoid frequent large meaty foods that stress the mouths.

Why did growth stall after it started plating nicely over the rock?

Shadowing can halt growth and trigger dieback under the plate. Echinophyllia forms shelves that block light and flow beneath. Slightly rotate the rock, add angled flow to ventilate the underside, and trim a small lip to reopen light/flow paths if needed. Check for alk swings; plates react quickly to instability. A short photoperiod “ramp” helps the underside adapt during adjustments.

What spacing and neighbors are safe for this chalice?

Give 3–6 inches of clearance. At night, it can extend short sweepers and potent mesenterial filaments that burn nearby fleshy LPS and zoas. It’s vulnerable to repeated stings from torches and hammers, so avoid direct contact zones and falling fragments. Use rubble buffers on sloped scapes. Activated carbon helps with chemical warfare in mixed reefs.

TSA Eye of Lava Chalice Coral

Chalice LPS

Overview

Eye of Lava Chalice Coral shows a bright central eye with red-orange streaks across a low, plating surface. Echinophyllia sp., a large-polyp stony chalice that forms encrusting to plating sheets, does best with low to moderate light and gentle to moderate water flow. It is photosynthetic via symbiotic algae and benefits from occasional small meaty feeds, which can support faster growth and stronger color. Place on a stable, horizontal area with space around it, as it can extend short stinging tentacles at night.

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 420–450 ppm

AlkAlkalinity 8–9.5 dKH

Magnesium 1280–1350 ppm

Feeding photosynthetic, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, rotifers, copepods, microplankton, coral-specific powdered foods, finely minced seafood

Care & Placement

Eye of Lava Chalice Coral (Echinophyllia sp.) prefers stable, nutrient-moderate systems with gentle conditions. Provide low to moderate light (PAR ~50–150); start in lower light and acclimate upward over 2–3 weeks to prevent bleaching and washed-out color. Use low to moderate, indirect flow to keep the surface free of detritus without lifting tissue; turbulent blasts can cause recession. Target-feed 1–2 times weekly after lights out with small meaty foods (mysis, enriched brine, reef roids) when feeding tentacles extend; avoid overfeeding that spikes nutrients. Keep temperature 76–79°F, salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 8–9.5 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.08 ppm. Test regularly, use a refractometer, and maintain stability with an auto top-off. Place on the sandbed or lower rock ledges, horizontal to encourage encrusting growth; avoid sharp edges. Allow 3–6 inches of space—chalices can extend sweepers and release mesenterial filaments. Keep away from aggressive LPS and from soft corals that release chemicals; run carbon if mixed. Drip acclimate 30–45 minutes, dip for pests, and light-acclimate with reduced intensity or mesh. Watch for bleaching (too much light), tissue peeling (too much flow or swings), or brown jelly; improve stability and flow and frag away dead tissue if needed. Monitor for vermetid snails and nipping fish (angels, butterflies).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the TSA Eye of Lava Chalice Coral

My Eye of Lava Chalice Coral is paling from the rim inward. What’s the likely cause and fix?

Rim recession often stems from too much light or stagnant edges where detritus collects. Echinophyllia sp. prefers low–moderate PAR with indirect flow. Reduce intensity or move it lower, increase gentle crossflow to keep the rim clean, and maintain stable alkalinity. Inspect for vermetid mucus nets irritating tissue. If necrosis spreads, frag a healthy section beyond the recession line and iodine dip.
How can I keep the “lava” reds and eyes vivid without bleaching?

Prioritize blue-heavy spectrum and gradual acclimation; these corals come from deeper, turbid zones. Keep PAR around 80–150, avoid sharp photoperiod shifts, and maintain modest nutrients (nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.1 ppm). Ultra-low nutrients wash out color. Occasional night feeding of small particulate foods and amino acids supports pigments; avoid frequent large meaty foods that stress the mouths.
Why did growth stall after it started plating nicely over the rock?

Shadowing can halt growth and trigger dieback under the plate. Echinophyllia forms shelves that block light and flow beneath. Slightly rotate the rock, add angled flow to ventilate the underside, and trim a small lip to reopen light/flow paths if needed. Check for alk swings; plates react quickly to instability. A short photoperiod “ramp” helps the underside adapt during adjustments.
What spacing and neighbors are safe for this chalice?

Give 3–6 inches of clearance. At night, it can extend short sweepers and potent mesenterial filaments that burn nearby fleshy LPS and zoas. It’s vulnerable to repeated stings from torches and hammers, so avoid direct contact zones and falling fragments. Use rubble buffers on sloped scapes. Activated carbon helps with chemical warfare in mixed reefs.