Elephant nose chalice coral (Mycedium elephantotus) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Elephant nose coral, Mycedium, Chalice coral
Family
Merulinidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific and Red Sea, on reef slopes
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Care level
intermediate
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Low to moderate
Flow
Moderate

Care

Mycedium elephantotus is a plating stony coral that is sold as a "chalice". Its corallites point outwards towards the edge of the plate, like small noses, which gives the coral its name. Colours include brown, green, red and orange, often with contrasting eyes. Placement: lower to middle rockwork, on a flat surface where the plate can spread. Chalices like horizontal placement. Light and flow: low to moderate light and medium flow. Water and supplements: pristine, stable water with calcium, alkalinity and magnesium, and strontium, iodine and trace elements. Growth: slow. Naming: Mycedium used to be placed in Pectiniidae and is now in Merulinidae. Neither source lists this species; the figures here are LiveAquaria's guidance for a related chalice coral (Echinophyllia aspera). Selling: this is a CITES Appendix II coral. Frags grown in the UK can be sold freely; wild-collected or imported pieces must have been legally imported with CITES paperwork. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/chalice-coral-green). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic. It feeds mostly at night; feeding is not essential, but small meaty foods such as baby brine shrimp or filter-feeder foods help.

Breeding

Cut a wedge from the plate edge with bone cutters or a saw and glue it to a plug. Growth is slow.

Compatibility and tank mates

Semi-aggressive: chalices can extend sweeper tentacles that harm gentler corals, so give it a few centimetres of space.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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