Mystic Sunset Chalice (Echinophyllia sp.) Care Guide
The Mystic Sunset Chalice is an aquacultured Echinophyllia sp. colour morph; a slow-growing plating chalice whose care follows the Echinophyllia genus.
Overview
The Mystic Sunset Chalice is an aquacultured colour morph of the genus Echinophyllia. It is a propagated trade selection rather than a separately described species, so its husbandry follows that of the Echinophyllia chalice corals. Plating colonies bear bright corallite eyes set in a textured, slightly bubbly surface and the morph is regarded as slow-growing.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lobophylliidae
- Genus: Echinophyllia
- Trade designation: Echinophyllia sp. 'Mystic Sunset'
- Note: 'Mystic Sunset' is an aquaculture colour morph, not a formally described species
Origin
Specimens in the trade are aquacultured, farmed and propagated in dedicated facilities. Echinophyllia can be propagated by fragging; this morph is regarded as a slow-growing, centerpiece coral.
Aquarium care
- Temperature: 24-26 degrees C (75-79 degrees F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 SG
- Alkalinity (KH): 8-11 dKH
- Calcium: 400-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Difficulty: advanced
- Minimum tank maturity: about 6 months
Lighting and flow
As a chalice coral, the Mystic Sunset Chalice is kept under lower to moderate light, around 50-150 PAR, with direct high-intensity light avoided to prevent bleaching. Moderate to low, indirect flow keeps the colony clean while preventing the tissue recession that strong direct currents can cause.
Feeding
The morph is primarily photosynthetic through its zooxanthellae but benefits from occasional spot feeding with small meaty or planktonic foods such as mysis; chalice corals are slow eaters and feed best after dark.
Compatibility
Chalice corals can extend long sweeper tentacles that sting neighbouring corals, so colonies should be placed with ample spacing from other corals. The morph is reported as reef-safe alongside fish and shrimp.