Aussie Red Scoly A-Grade XL (Scolymia sp.)

This A-Grade XL Aussie Red Scoly (Scolymia sp.) is a premium, hand-selected Australian scolymia with a rich, solid blood-red disc. Aussie scolys are among the hardiest and most vividly colored large-polyp stony (LPS) corals in the reef hobby, and this extra-large A-Grade specimen makes a true showpiece for new and experienced reefers alike. Browse the rest of our live corals to build out your reef.

What you see is what you get. The photo shows the exact specimen you will receive (specimen W649). Coral color shifts with lighting, so a piece photographed under blue or actinic light will look a little different under daylight-balanced bulbs.

Care Guide

Australian scolys (the trade name covers the single-mouth coral now classified as Homophyllia australis) are free-living LPS corals collected from deeper Australian reefs. They are forgiving and undemanding once your water chemistry is stable, and the deep red pigment holds beautifully at modest light levels.

• Lighting: Low to moderate, roughly PAR 50 to 150. Too much light washes out the pigment and can bleach the coral, so a shaded spot keeps the red deep and saturated.
• Flow: Low to moderate. Gentle, indirect flow lets the fleshy polyp inflate fully. Strong direct flow keeps it from opening.
• Placement: Rest it flat on the sand bed or a low rock shelf. Scolys do not attach aggressively, so give the polyp open space to expand without touching neighbors.
• Feeding: It draws most of its energy from light through its zooxanthellae, but it responds well to spot-feeding meaty foods such as mysis, brine, or LPS pellets once or twice a week, usually after the feeding tentacles emerge in the evening.

Specifications

Recommended Reef Parameters

• Temperature: 75 to 78°F
• Salinity: 1.024 to 1.026 (about 35 ppt)
• pH: 8.1 to 8.4
• Alkalinity: 8 to 11 dKH
• Calcium: 400 to 450 ppm, Magnesium: 1250 to 1350 ppm
• Nitrate and phosphate detectable but low; scolys color up best with a little nutrient in the water rather than ultra-low conditions.

Compatibility & Placement

Reef-safe and peaceful. Scolys pair well with other LPS, soft corals, and reef fish. Keep a few inches between the scoly and corals with long sweeper tentacles such as torches, hammers, and frogspawn, and from other scolys, since the fleshy tissue can be stung. Avoid housing it with fish that nip large-polyp corals, such as some angelfish and large pufferfish. Pair it with our Aussie Warpaint Scoly or Ultra Orange & Electric Blue Scoly for a stunning scoly garden.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Vitalis LPS & Soft Coral Pellets for easy targeted spot-feeding
• Red Sea Reef Energy AB+ coral food and amino acids
• BRS Reef Chili broadcast coral food
• Browse all coral foods and saltwater supplies

FAQ

Is this the exact coral I will receive?
Yes. This is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get listing, so you receive the specific A-Grade XL specimen pictured (W649).

What makes it A-Grade?
A-Grade describes a clean, well-colored, full specimen with strong red pigment. Paired with the XL size, it is one of the nicer red scolys we bring in.

Are Aussie scolys good for beginners?
They are one of the best LPS corals for newer reefers. They are hardy, slow-growing, and only need stable water and modest light and flow.

Where should I place it?
On the sand bed or a low, flat rock with gentle flow and low to moderate light. Leave a few inches of open space around the polyp.