Mycedium

Mycedium elephantotus is a coral that grows in plates or crusts and is also sold in the trade under the name "chalice." Its most distinctive feature is that its corallites protrude like noses and all lean toward the edge of the colony; this is where the English name "elephant nose" comes from. Radial ridges run between the corallites. The tissue can be brown, gray, green or pink, and the mouths are often a different color. Its trade is subject to CITES Appendix II; choose an aquacultured frag.

• Light: Moderate, about 75–200 PAR.
• Flow: Moderate and indirect.
• Placement: A horizontal surface in the middle zone of the rockwork; plating forms can also grow on a vertical surface.
• Water parameters: Salinity 1.024–1.026, KH 7–10 dKH, calcium 400–450 mg/L, magnesium 1250–1350 mg/L; nitrate 2–10 mg/L.

It is photosynthetic. The tentacles open only at night; at that time fine-grained LPS food or mysis can be given once or twice a week.

With the tentacles and mesenterial filaments it puts out at night, it can burn neighboring corals; leave at least 10 cm of space around it. Do not let it touch other chalices. Dwarf angelfish and butterflyfish may pick at the tissue.