Minty Green Mycedium Chalice Coral

Description:

• Scientific Name: Mycedium spp.

• Common Name: Chalice Coral (specifically “Mycedium-type” chalice)

• Type: LPS (Large Polyp Stony) Coral

• Appearance:

  • Grows in a plating or encrusting formation, often forming elegant ruffled or lobed edges.

  • Polyps are usually located along raised ridges, giving a "textured, cratered" look.

  • Comes in a huge variety of colors—neon greens, purples, blues, reds, often with contrasting eyes (mouths) in bright orange or yellow.

  • Often confused with Echinophyllia or Oxypora, but Mycedium typically has more prominent ridges and larger mouths set in a more defined pattern.

Care Level: Moderate

Mycedium corals are fairly forgiving once established, but they thrive best in mature, nutrient-stable systems with soft lighting and gentle flow.

Do:

• Place in shaded or low-light areas at first—can bleach if placed under high PAR too quickly.

• Target feed 1–2x/week—polyps will extend at night or under low light. Offer reef roids, mysis, or finely chopped marine foods.

• Provide stable alkalinity and calcium to support skeletal growth.

• Ensure gentle water flow—just enough to keep detritus from settling, but not enough to lift tissue.

Avoid:

• Direct high light or flow—this can lead to polyp retraction, tissue damage, or bleaching.

• Placing near aggressive corals—though mostly peaceful, it can be stung or sometimes sting neighbors via sweepers at night.

• Frequent moving—like many LPS, it prefers to stay put once settled.

Fragging:

• Frag with a diamond band saw or Dremel—the skeleton is relatively thin but ridged.

• Cut well between mouths and allow frags to recover in low light and low flow areas.

Common Issues:

• Tissue recession – Often caused by poor water quality or lighting stress.

• Algae overgrowth – Can suffocate or shade polyps if placed in areas with low flow or poor maintenance.

• Bleaching – Can occur quickly under sudden increases in lighting. Always acclimate slowly.

Bonus Tips:

• Looks incredible under blue LED/actinic lighting—"eyes" often glow brightly.

• Use UV and trace supplements (like iron and manganese) if you're running a ULNS system to maintain its wild colors.

• Consider adding to a chalice garden with other Echinophyllia, Oxypora, or Pectinia—just space them out well.