Mummy Eye Chalice

Mummy Eye Chalice corals are eye-catching and surprisingly hardy. Their glowing centers and swirling colors make them favorites in many reef tanks. With the right placement and stable water, they can thrive and grow into impressive colonies.

Understanding Mummy Eye Chalice Care

Mummy Eye Chalice is usually an Echinophyllia or Oxypora species. It forms thin, plating colonies that encrust rock. The bright “eyes” are actually raised corallites with vivid orange or green centers. These corals prefer gentle conditions and stable parameters.

Keep salinity between 1.025 and 1.026. Hold temperature steady at 77–79°F. Aim for alkalinity of 8–9 dKH, calcium of 420–450 ppm, and magnesium around 1300–1400 ppm. Nitrate should stay between 5–15 ppm. Phosphate should remain low but detectable, around 0.03–0.08 ppm.

Lighting is critical. Mummy Eye Chalice usually does best in low to moderate PAR. Target 80–150 PAR at the coral’s surface. Too much light can cause bleaching and tissue recession. Start the coral in a shaded area on the sand bed. Then move it slowly upward over 2–3 weeks if needed.

• Start new frags at 50–80 PAR and increase slowly.
• Use a PAR meter if possible, or watch for color fading.
• Look for puffy tissue and strong color as signs of good placement.

Placement, Feeding, and Troubleshooting

Place Mummy Eye Chalice on stable rock with room to grow. It spreads outward as a plate. Avoid sharp rock edges that can cut the tissue. Leave 2–3 inches of space from other corals. Chalices can sting neighbors with sweeper tentacles at night.

Flow should be low to moderate. Aim for gentle, indirect movement. Strong, direct flow can peel tissue from the skeleton. Watch for areas where detritus settles. Adjust flow so debris does not collect on the coral.

• Use alternating flow patterns with wavemakers.
• Avoid pointing powerheads directly at the chalice.
• Check for tissue lifting or exposed skeleton as warning signs.

Mummy Eye Chalice benefits from targeted feeding. Feed 2–3 times per week at night when feeding tentacles extend. Use small particle foods like reef roids, powdered coral foods, or finely chopped mysis. Turn off flow for 10–15 minutes while feeding. This lets food settle on the coral surface.

• If tissue recedes, check alkalinity swings first.
• Look for pests like nudibranchs or flatworms around the base.
• Dip new frags in a coral dip for 5–10 minutes before adding.

With patience and stable conditions, Mummy Eye Chalice can grow from a small frag to a showpiece plate. Focus on slow changes, gentle light, and consistent parameters. Your reward will be intense color and unique texture that stands out in any reef.

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