Chalice Coral

About

Found on reef slopes and shaded ledges across tropical oceans, Echinophyllia hirsuta is a large-polyp stony coral belonging to the chalice group, a family known for their plating, encrusting growth and distinctly rough surface texture. The species name hirsuta, meaning hairy or bristly in Latin, refers to the coarse, almost spiny appearance of its corallites, which gives the colony a noticeably rugged look compared to smoother relatives. Coloration tends toward earthy greens, browns, and occasionally more bright hues depending on the zooxanthellae present and the lighting conditions in the tank. Like other chalice corals, it grows as a spreading plate or encrusting sheet, gradually expanding outward across the rockwork. In the aquarium, this coral is generally considered a reasonable choice for those newer to keeping large-polyp stony corals, as it tolerates moderate light rather than the intense illumination demanded by some SPS species, and prefers gentler water movement. Placement lower in the tank, away from direct high-flow powerheads, usually works well. It does have sweeper tentacles that extend at night, so leave some buffer space between it and neighboring corals to avoid territorial stinging.