Space Invaders Chalice

Space Invaders Chalice: The Green and Orange Icon

The Space Invaders Chalice is a highly popular and widely recognized strain of Chalice Coral, typically classified within the Large Polyp Stony (LPS) family, often as Echinophyllia or Mycedium. This specific strain is famous for its distinct, high-contrast coloration: a vibrant, electric neon green base or rim that sharply contrasts with prominent orange to reddish-orange corallites (mouths) or eyes, giving it a pixelated, retro video-game appearance.

The Space Invaders Chalice grows in an encrusting and then plating or cup-shaped morphology. Its intense, fluorescent green and orange colors are best maintained under moderate light intensity and stable water chemistry, making it an excellent focal point for the mid-to-lower regions of a reef aquarium.

This coral is considered Moderate in care. It is relatively hardy compared to SPS corals, but it requires consistent parameters and protection from being placed too high in the tank, as high light can cause the colors to fade or the coral to bleach.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: This coral is primarily Photosynthetic but is also a capable Carnivore. It relies on zooxanthellae for most of its energy but greatly benefits from direct feeding to accelerate growth.
• Feeding: Supplemental target feeding is strongly recommended for optimal health and growth. The mouths (corallites) will often extend sweepers at night to capture food. 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, especially when defending territory or feeding. It is essential to give the Space Invaders Chalice at least 3-4 inches of clear space from all neighboring corals to prevent 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 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. (WWC/Specific Strain)
• Primary Common Name: Space Invaders Chalice
• Other Common Names: WWC Space Invaders Chalice, Green Base Orange Eye 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