Solar Flare Chalice

Solar Flare Chalice: The Yellow and Orange Eruption

The Solar Flare Chalice is a highly sought-after collector strain of Chalice Coral, typically belonging to the Large Polyp Stony (LPS) genus Echinophyllia or Mycedium. This specific strain is famous for its bright, dynamic coloration, featuring a vibrant yellow-gold to orange base that is punctuated by contrasting bright red or sometimes green mouths (corallites) and eyes.

The name "Solar Flare" perfectly captures the brilliant, eruptive nature of its color palette, which strongly glows under actinic (blue) lighting. This coral typically grows in an encrusting and then plating or cup-shaped morphology. Its intense coloration is best maintained under moderate light intensity and stable, moderate nutrient levels, making it a spectacular focal point for the mid-to-lower sections of a reef tank.

The Solar Flare Chalice is considered Moderate in care. While less demanding than high-end SPS corals, it requires consistent water parameters and protection from being placed too high in the tank, where excess light can cause bleaching and dull its characteristic coloration.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: This coral is primarily Photosynthetic but is also a robust Carnivore. It relies on zooxanthellae for most of its energy but benefits significantly from direct feeding.
• Feeding: Supplemental target feeding is strongly recommended to maximize health, growth, and color saturation. The polyps and mouths (corallites) actively feed, extending sweepers at night to capture prey. Feed 2-3 times per week with meaty foods, such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, cyclops, or fine coral foods like Reef Roids and amino acid solutions.
• Reef Compatibility: It is Reef Safe but is Semi-Aggressive to Aggressive. Chalice corals extend long, potent sweeper tentacles at night when hunting or defending territory. It is essential to provide the Solar Flare Chalice at least 3-4 inches of clear space from all other neighboring corals to prevent chemical stinging and tissue damage.
• Temperament: Peaceful toward fish and motile invertebrates, but Aggressive/Territorial toward other corals. It should be positioned on lower rockwork or on the sand bed where it can encrust and plate outwards without shading or stinging high-light corals.
• Water Requirements: Requires stable parameters. The tank should be mature with low to moderate nutrient levels (Nitrate 10-30 ppm, Phosphate 0.01-0.1 ppm). Critical parameters: Alkalinity (dKH 8.0-9.5), Calcium (380-450 ppm), and Magnesium (1300-1450 ppm). Demands Low to Moderate PAR lighting (75-150 PAR).

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Echinophyllia sp. or Mycedium sp. (Specific Strain)
• Primary Common Name: Solar Flare Chalice
• Other Common Names: Yellow Base Red Eye Chalice, Solar Chalice
• Origin: Cultured/Maricultured (Originals from the Indo-Pacific)
• Max Size: Can grow into large plates (10+ inches in diameter)
• Temperament: Semi-Aggressive (Territorial, uses sweeper tentacles)
• Diet: Photosynthetic and Carnivore (Benefits greatly from target feeding)
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 Gallons (Established reef)
• Reef Compatibility: Yes, with proper spacing.
• Care Level: Moderate