Raja Chalice Coral

Raja Chalice Coral, Echinophyllia sp., is an encrusting to plating stony coral valued for its intense fluorescent coloration, strongly textured surface, and widely spaced corallite “eyes.” This WYSIWYG specimen displays a striking neon green base with deep burgundy to purple-red tissue and brilliant orange-red corallite centers. The contrasting fluorescent green valleys and intensely colored eyes give this Raja Chalice a dramatic multicolor appearance under reef lighting. Chalice corals commonly sold as Echinophyllia develop thin spreading colonies that may encrust surrounding rockwork and gradually form irregular plates or folds as they mature. The coral contains symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates that provide much of its nutritional energy, while its polyps can also capture plankton and appropriately sized meaty foods. Because species-level identification cannot be confirmed reliably from external appearance alone, Echinophyllia sp. is the scientifically appropriate designation.

Care Guide: Echinophyllia sp. generally performs best under low to moderate reef lighting and low to moderate, indirect water movement. Chalice corals can be sensitive to sudden exposure to intense lighting, so acclimate gradually when moving the coral into brighter conditions. Place on stable lower to middle rockwork or on the aquarium bottom where its fleshy tissue will not rub against sharp surfaces. Maintain stable temperature and salinity along with consistent alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate. Although primarily photosynthetic, Raja Chalice can benefit from occasional targeted feeding with small meaty or planktonic foods, particularly after lights dim when feeding tentacles may extend. Provide generous spacing from neighboring corals because chalice corals can produce sweeper tentacles capable of stinging nearby specimens.