Melted Crayola Chalice

Melted Crayola Chalice is a vividly colored chalice coral in the family Lobophylliidae, a group that includes several genera commonly represented in the aquarium trade as chalice corals, including Echinophyllia spp. and related species. This specimen displays an intense fluorescent orange to golden-orange base accented by green patches and contrasting pink to reddish centers.

Chalice corals typically develop an encrusting to plating growth form, with fleshy tissue covering a hard calcium carbonate skeleton. Distinct corallites form the characteristic “eyes” visible across the colony, while raised ridges and valleys create the sculpted surface texture associated with many chalice corals.

The Melted Crayola Chalice is especially striking because of its unusual combination of colors. Brilliant orange tissue dominates the colony, while areas of green pigmentation surround several of the prominent pink-red corallite centers. Under blue-rich reef aquarium lighting, these contrasting pigments can produce exceptional fluorescence and give the coral the multicolor appearance reflected in its trade name.

Like other photosynthetic stony corals, chalice corals contain symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates that provide much of their nutritional energy. They are also capable of capturing suspended plankton and appropriately sized particulate foods, particularly when feeding tentacles are extended.

As the colony becomes established, it may gradually encrust surrounding rockwork or develop a broader plating growth form depending on placement, lighting, water movement, and available growing space.

Because the aquarium trade term “chalice coral” includes multiple genera with overlapping external characteristics, exact genus or species identification cannot be established reliably from coloration and appearance alone. For this specimen, Echinophyllia spp. and related chalice species is the most scientifically responsible identification.

Care Guide

Scientific Identification: Echinophyllia spp. and related chalice species
Common Name: Chalice Coral
Care Level: Moderate
Lighting: Low to Moderate
Water Flow: Low to Moderate, indirect
Placement: Lower to middle areas of the aquarium depending on lighting intensity
Temperament: Aggressive; allow adequate space from neighboring corals
Reef Compatibility: Reef safe with appropriate spacing
Feeding: Primarily photosynthetic; may also benefit from occasional appropriately sized planktonic or meaty coral foods
Growth Form: Encrusting to plating calcium carbonate skeleton covered by fleshy tissue
Water Parameters: Maintain stable reef aquarium temperature and salinity along with consistent alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. Maintain measurable and reasonably stable nitrate and phosphate levels.
Special Considerations: Chalice corals can extend feeding or sweeper tentacles beyond the visible edge of the colony, particularly after the lights dim. Allow adequate space from neighboring corals. Avoid strong direct flow that can damage the fleshy tissue, and acclimate the coral gradually when introducing it to stronger lighting.