Aussie Warpaint Scoly (Scolymia sp.)

This Aussie Warpaint Scoly (Scolymia sp.) is a single, hand-selected Australian scolymia with a fiery orange disc streaked in green and red "war paint." Aussie scolys are among the hardiest and most vividly colored large-polyp stony (LPS) corals in the reef hobby, which makes them a perfect centerpiece 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 W432). 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 they hold their color beautifully at modest light levels.

• Lighting: Low to moderate, roughly PAR 50 to 150. Too much light washes out the pigments and can bleach the coral, so a shaded spot keeps the colors 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. It looks fantastic next to another show piece like our Ultra Orange & Electric Blue Scoly.

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 specimen pictured (W432).

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.

Why do the colors look different in person?
The photo is taken under blue and actinic reef lighting, which makes the greens and reds pop. Under more daylight-balanced light the coral reads as a deeper orange and red.