Oxypora

Oxypora lacera is a coral that grows in thin, brittle plates with toothed radial ridges on its surface. In the trade it is sold together with Echinophyllia under the name "chalice," and it looks very much like it in the water. The tissue is usually pale brown or greenish, while the mouths can be green, white or red. It is one of the relatively fast-spreading chalices. Its trade is subject to CITES Appendix II; choose an aquacultured frag.

• Light: Moderate, about 75–200 PAR; increase the light gradually.
• Flow: Moderate and indirect; detritus should not collect on the thin plates.
• Placement: A horizontal or slightly sloping surface in the middle zone of the rockwork.
• Water parameters: Salinity 1.024–1.026, KH 7–10 dKH, calcium 400–450 mg/L, magnesium 1250–1350 mg/L; sensitive to KH swings.

It is photosynthetic. Feeding fine-grained LPS food or chopped brine shrimp once or twice a week after the lights go out supports growth.

At night it can burn neighboring corals by putting out stinging tentacles and mesenterial filaments; leave at least 10 cm of space around it. Do not let it touch other chalices. It is easily propagated by taking the edge of the thin plates with coral cutters. Dwarf angelfish may pick at the tissue.