What makes a chalice a chalice?

reefboy · Jan 21, 2009

I always thought the Echinophyllia was what we are calling chalices but I'm seeing Oxypora's and Mycedium being called chalices now so what do the masses say? can we generalize these under the common term "chalice" or should there be a definite genius set with the pricing thats going on.

AquaWorldPSC · Jan 21, 2009

Echinophyllias are chalices but I think people don't realize that they have a oxypora or mycedium.

reefboy · Jan 21, 2009

thats true but as I said should they be called chalices and be sold at the same prices?

joefish · Jan 21, 2009

First chalice i bought was labeled mycedium. IMO chalice refers to any LPS that grows a plate like skeleton with flesh that expands. Monti cap with meat is another way to look at it.

ficklefins · Jan 21, 2009

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/june2002/invert.htm

Things sure have changed for this coral since that June 2002 article.

AquaWorldPSC · Jan 21, 2009

I think they should be valued the same.

reefboy · Jan 21, 2009

AquaWorldPSC said:
I think they should be valued the same.

I would agree with that but should they all be called chalices as my Monti cap grows very similar but we wouldn't call it a chalice I think these generalization can be more dangerous then high pricing to beginning collectors.

AquaWorldPSC · Jan 21, 2009

Mycdiums, Oxyporas, and Echinos are very similar

Mycedium (Pic from Reeffarmers)

Oxypora (Pic from Reeffarmers)

Echino (Pic from Reeffarmers)

Reef Pets · Jan 21, 2009

Given photos like that, I can see the difference. But, a general catagory of Chalice seems to be the way to go. There are SOOO many species of coral in general that it would be impossible to keep up with if we looked that far into it.

returnofsid · Jan 23, 2009

Along with Echinophyllias, you can add Echinoporas to the mix. They're also generically called a Chalice in a lot of cases. Here's a pic of one I recently got that was called an Echinopora. I'm not 100% sure that it is, but I believe so.