Watermelon Chalice (Echinophyllia sp.) Care Guide
The Watermelon Chalice is an aquacultured Echinophyllia sp. colour morph named for its green-and-red coloration; care follows the Echinophyllia genus.
Overview
The Watermelon Chalice is an aquacultured colour morph of the genus Echinophyllia, named for green and red coloration reminiscent of watermelon. 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 with a textured, slightly bubbly surface.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lobophylliidae
- Genus: Echinophyllia
- Trade designation: Echinophyllia sp. 'Watermelon'
- Note: 'Watermelon' is an aquaculture colour morph, not a formally described species
Origin
Specimens in the trade are aquacultured, farmed and propagated in dedicated facilities. Under proper care Echinophyllia can grow rapidly and is a strong candidate for fragging and propagation.
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 Watermelon 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. Insufficient light can cause the pink and purple tones to fade toward green, with colour returning once lighting is corrected.
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.