Blue Chalice Echinopora

Echinopora lamellosa

Saltwater Coral Species Group: Echinopora Family: Faviidae

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Water parameters

Temp 76-80 F Temperature

Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.

 pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of Hydrogen

Measuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.

 NO3 1-20 ppm Nitrate

While less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.

 NO2 <0.0001 ppm Nitrite

It is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia

 PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm Phosphate

It is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.

 NH3 <0.1 ppm Ammonia

It is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death

 Ca 380 - 450 ppm Calcium

Supporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae

 KH 8 - 12 dKH Alkalinity

It acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.

 Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm Magnesium

It enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.

 SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG Salinity

Essential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals

 ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction Potential

A higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.

About Blue Chalice Echinopora

General information

In general, corals from the Genus Echinopora have large coral colonies that are circular in shape and takes in the form of massive, submassive and encrusting type. Their corallite walls are not well pronounced, but their mouth can be clearly spotted which is usually elevated.

For the Blue Chalice Echinopora, they are predominatly colored pink with yellow mouth. This are the water parameters for cultivating Blue Chalice Echinopora:

  • Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm
  • Alkalinity: 2.86 – 3.93 MEQ/L (8 – 11 dKH)
  • Phosphates: 0
  • Magnesium: 1200 – 1350
  • Strontium: 8 -10
  • Temperature: 74° – 83° F (23° – 28° C)
  • Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025

Diet & nutrition

Blue Chalice Echinopora can survive without feeding courtesy from the nourishment it recieves from the symbiotic zooxanthellae that is living within them. However, they will not grow in to a bigger colony. With this and for faster growth, you need to feed them with supplemental foods like krill, mysis or brine shrimp. The addition of dissolved organics is also recommended.

Determining sex

A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Blue Chalice Echinopora. They need to be set at the bottom portion of the tank where lighting and flow rate are in moderation.

Breeding & spawning

Blue Chalice Echinopora requires moderate lighting and moderate water flow. Too much water flow causes the polyps to be retracted and feeding cannot take place.

Origination

Blue Chalice Echinopora can be found in the Indo-west Pacific Ocean.

Cautions

Blue Chalice Echinopora must be set in the tank with enough spacing in relation to other coral species.

Acclimation process

Since the Blue Chalice Echinopora are a marine species, salinity must be entirely maintained at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity. They should be immediately set to its receiving substrate like rocks and be permanently positioned using gel glue so that the colonization process can commence.

All photos

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