{"id":58193,"date":"2025-01-30T17:40:55","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T17:40:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/aquarium\/fragging-mates-feeding-mates\/"},"modified":"2025-01-30T17:40:55","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T17:40:55","slug":"fragging-mates-feeding-mates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=58193","title":{"rendered":"Fragging, Mates, Feeding & Mates"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Quick Facts<\/strong> \"\"\/<\/p>\n

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\u200b\u200bOther Names:<\/strong><\/td>\nDoughnut Coral, Disk Coral, Australian Scoly Coral, War Paint, Pinwheel Button, and Bleeding Apple<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tank:<\/strong><\/td>\n10 gallons<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water:\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n73F to 84F, 8.1 to 8.4 pH, 8 to 12 dKH, 1.025 SG.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lighting:\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n100-150 par<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water Flow:\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n20 to 40 times turnover<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size:\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n3-4 in in diameter\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Feeding:\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n2-3 times a week foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp and gulf shrimp<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mates:\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nLPS and SPS corals like Brain Corals<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Predators:\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nGreen Hydnophora, Galaxea Coral and Starry Cup Coral<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fragging:\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nNot recommended<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Scolymia or Scoly Corals are a captivating addition to any marine tank. With their easy-going nature and ability to thrive in diverse conditions, these corals make them an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced hobbyists.<\/p>\n

This care guide will walk you through essential tips to ensure your Scoly Coral flourishes, from proper placement and lighting to feeding techniques that showcase their unique beauty. Let\u2019s being!<\/p>\n

Species Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Scoly Coral is a Large Polyp Stony, also known as an LPS coral. Its common names are Doughnut Coral, Disk Coral, Australian Scoly Coral, War Paint, Pinwheel Button, and Bleeding Apple<\/strong>. Scolymia<\/em> is the genus, and you can find species such as Scolymia australis and Scolymia vitiensis which is part of the Mussidae family.<\/p>\n

The coral can be found throughout the Pacific, such as in Australia, with a rare species found in Indonesia. Nowadays, most hobbyists find the coral on reef slopes of the Great Barrier Reef.<\/p>\n

Appearance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Scoly is a popular coral because of its vibrant color schemes, from green and red to orange and blue. The coral does not feature the usual colony of branches, and its round body resembles a single button with a mouth in the center.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

These corals have sweeper tentacles that extend when feeding or at nighttime. Overall, the Scoly is a great choice for adding a unique species to your aquarium.<\/p>\n

Scoly Coral Care<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Scoly is a hardy coral that usually takes well in new surroundings. To thrive in your tank you need to make sure it has enough space and the water is kept within the recommended parameters to avoid parasites or a chemical imbalance.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tank Size<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Scolymia coral does well in nano aquariums, so you will do well with the recommended 10-gallon tank size.<\/strong> Ensure your coral has enough room to fully grow since it likes to extend its tentacles and inflate itself to about two times their size.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Water Parameters<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Even with its ability to adapt to its surroundings, your coral still needs the right environment to be as close as possible to natural sea water.<\/p>\n

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Water temperature:\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n73-84 degrees Farenheit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
pH levels:<\/strong><\/td>\n8.1-8.4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water hardness:<\/strong><\/td>\n8-12 dkh<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Specific gravity:<\/strong><\/td>\n1.025<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Calcium:<\/strong><\/td>\n400 ppm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Magnesium:<\/strong><\/td>\n1350 ppm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Phosphate:<\/strong><\/td>\n0.05-0.1 ppm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ammonia:<\/strong><\/td>\n0 ppm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nitrate:<\/strong><\/td>\n0 ppm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nitrite:<\/strong><\/td>\n0 ppm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Tank Setup<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Scoly Corals enjoy a fine sandbed in their space, which is okay to add as long as your coral does not get coated in sand. Otherwise, it may become difficult to feed your coral. If you are worried about your coral sinking into the sand or falling over, you can always provide a rock or another flat surface.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Placement<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Place your coral in a low-medium spot with less lighting<\/strong>. It is also essential to provide several inches of space for your coral to grow, inflate, and extend its tentacles, especially if you are placing other LPS corals in the tank. Failure to provide ample space can result in your coral disturbing its neighbors or vice versa.<\/p>\n

Lighting<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While Scolymia Corals are photosynthetic, they are not overly demanding when it comes to their lighting. Moderate lighting with a range of 100-150 par is enough to keep your coral healthy and comfortable<\/strong>. You can use T5, LED, or Metal Halides bulbs in your coral\u2019s tank, and a 14-20K color spectrum makes it easier to enjoy your coral\u2019s coloration.<\/p>\n

Filtration \/ Water Flow<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A low-moderate water flow of 20 to 40 times turnover is a good range because it can channel food toward your Scoly Coral while sweeping away debris and waste.<\/strong> It is best to place your coral at a slight angle to ensure the unwanted particles are fully removed by the flow.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Author Note: <\/strong>If you are worried about the flow harming your coral or falling over, just make sure it is on a flat surface and on lower rock.<\/p>\n

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Acclimation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Scolymia Corals can adapt to any mature tank as long as you don\u2019t surprise it with sudden changes<\/strong>. For example, your coral may have become used to less lighting while in its container during transit.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Author Note<\/strong>: It is best to introduce your coral to its tank under low lighting to prevent shock and stress. Once your coral is used to its new surroundings, you can move your coral to its designated spot and adjust the lighting to the recommended range.<\/p>\n

Growth \/ Size<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While Scolymia Corals tend to grow slower than other LPS corals, a healthy diet and proper water conditions can help your scoly coral reach 3 to 4 inches in diameter<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Is My Scoly Coral Dying?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Scoly is a hardy coral that adapts well, but that does not make your coral invincible. If you notice an exposed skeleton, which is a portion of white on its body, your Scolymia Coral may be sick or dying<\/strong>. Two possible causes are as follows:<\/p>\n