ACI Sunrise Cyphastrea Coral
3G Mummy Eye Chalice Coral shows a flattened, plating surface with bright orange eyes on a green base. Echinophyllia aspera is a large-polyp stony chalice that grows encrusting to plating; it prefers low to moderate light and gentle to moderate water flow. It is photosynthetic with symbiotic algae but benefits from occasional small meaty feedings at night to support growth and color. Place on a stable rock with space around it, as it can extend short sweeper tentacles that may sting nearby corals.
photosynthetic, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, zooplankton, microplankton, coral-specific powdered foods
Echinophyllia aspera colors are spectrum- and nutrient-sensitive. Too much white light or very low nutrients can mute contrast. Aim for low–moderate PAR (70–150), strong blue/UV channels, and modest nutrients (NO3 5–15 ppm, PO4 0.03–0.1). Increase indirect flow to prevent film buildup, and target feed fine meaty foods at night to restore flesh and pigment.
Edge recession often tracks instability: recent alkalinity swings, sudden PAR increases, or detritus settling on the lip. Verify alk stability (±0.2 dKH), reduce PAR by 20–30% with acclimation, raise the coral slightly to improve under-skeleton flow, and turkey-baste weekly. Check for vermetid snails or stinging neighbors; both can trigger localized dieback.
Provide a flat, open tile or shelf with gentle, oblique flow and lower PAR; E. aspera tends to form laminar plates when it can expand horizontally without shadows. Mount it slightly off the substrate to keep the undersides clean. Avoid frequent fragging during early expansion—continuous edges favor plate development and eye splitting.
