{"product_id":"melted-crayola-chalice-pea-f-oc2926","title":"Melted Crayola Chalice","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMelted Crayola Chalice is a vividly colored chalice coral in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efamily Lobophylliidae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a group that includes several genera commonly represented in the aquarium trade as chalice corals, including \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEchinophyllia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e spp. and related species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This specimen displays an intense fluorescent orange to golden-orange base accented by green patches and contrasting pink to reddish centers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChalice 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLike 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause 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, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEchinophyllia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e spp. and related chalice species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is the most scientifically responsible identification.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Identification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEchinophyllia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e spp. and related chalice species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Chalice Coral\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLighting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Low to Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Low to Moderate, indirect\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Lower to middle areas of the aquarium depending on lighting intensity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Aggressive; allow adequate space from neighboring corals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReef Compatibility:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Reef safe with appropriate spacing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Primarily photosynthetic; may also benefit from occasional appropriately sized planktonic or meaty coral foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth Form:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Encrusting to plating calcium carbonate skeleton covered by fleshy tissue\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Maintain stable reef aquarium temperature and salinity along with consistent alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. Maintain measurable and reasonably stable nitrate and phosphate levels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecial Considerations:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Pacific East Aquaculture, Inc.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67910446448873,"sku":"F OC2926","price":119.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2133\/7655\/files\/melted-crayola-chalice-lps-premium-frags-pea-F-oc2926.jpg?v=1794240914","url":"https:\/\/pacificeastaquaculture.com\/products\/melted-crayola-chalice-pea-f-oc2926","provider":"Pacific East Aquaculture","version":"1.0","type":"link"}