Incredible Scolymia

[BeakerBob]

I was at the Fish Guy LFS in Michigan last week and saw a scolymia (also known as donut or meat coral) that was beyond belief.. ..it had the most awesome color and sparkley pattern that I have ever seen. I agonized over getting it or passing on it for over an hour while we were there. This is going to be hard to believe, but I deliberately passed on it for a number of reasons. The biggest reason was this was a prime example of a show coral that should be seen and appreciated by many others, not kept in a tank in my house.

We left the LFS and went to eat at a restaurant on the corner of the strip mall. Needless to say, there was a lot of discussion about this scolymia and I mentioned that I would have taken it, but that it was a show piece that others should be able to appreciate. My reefer friends soon convinced me that I should get it to share pictures with everyone. Kinda hoping that someone else picked it up (and save me the trouble of making a decision), we went back to the LFS to see if it was still there.

It was still there and looking even better! I took it home with me. Here are some pictures that show how distinctive this scolymia is....it literally "sparkles". It has adapted well to my tank and is eating. I'll post some pictures of it eating later.

Nikon D70 w/90mm macro lens, 250 watt 14K Phoeonix MH lighting

 

[Cristi]

I agree. It's incredible! Glad you decided to take it home and share some pictures of it. Great pictures too!

 

[spsboy]

I agree, very nice pick-up. Might be the nicest I've seen. If you feel your tank doesn't do it justice, you can always ship it down to me, and I'll show if off to all my friends here.
Drew

 

[heuerfan]

Beautiful, reminds me of one i used to have, may it rest in peace

 

[Echidna09]

My fish store has gotten several beautiful scolys lately, too. I really want one, I'm glad I don't have a bigger tank because they are just something else expensive for me to buy.

 

[Scissorhand]

wow, haven't seen that one before. nice.

 

[zeppelin]

Sweet Scoly.

 

[RandyO]

Nice Scoly!

again.

 

[Thhitman]

Absolutely spectacular. I have thought about setting up a scolymia "pool" in the middle of my tank with about 10 or 12 scolyies in it.

 

[bradleyj]

Yours is a bit nicer than mine, but its crazy that I just picked this one up last week and looks alot like yours.

 

[BeakerBob]

bradleyj,
Your donut is looking great too...it has "sparkles" like mine!!

You may want to read this article about them....warns against putting them directly on the sand bottom:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2003/invert.htm

 

[bradleyj]

Thanks Bob, I've always been told they do best in the sand and not in the rocks, I learn something new everyday.

 

[slojmn]

Bob,
Nice buy...definately worth it and since it will thrive in your tank I, for one, am glad you decided to pick it up...you never know who may have come along and gotten it...maybe someone who couldn't keep it alive.

 

[kingfisher62]

Awsome piece, I would have bought that in a heartbeat ! Although I don't think it would have fit in my into my 14g biocube. How big is it? It looks friggin huge!
I am not familiar with them at all are they hard to keep?
If you don't mind me asking , what did it set you back?
What ever you spent it was worth it!

 

[BeakerBob]

Thanks Alicia!

kingfisher62: The scoly is about 6" in diameter when fully expanded. The cost of this coral was on par with its beauty and availability.

 

[thecichlidpleco]

phishybusiness always has nice donuts, yum!

 

[seapug]

That's a nice one. Really like those sparklies. Best part is they happen to be one of the easiest LPS corals to keep. After months of admiring a pricey one in my LFS, I took the plunge, too.
This is a photo from when I first put it in the tank. Gets about 2 X the size now (8" across when fully expanded)

 

[BeakerBob]

seapug,
Yours has some very nice colors and patterns to it too!

 

[Purple Haze]

Nice!

 

[Duce]

That's a nice one.... saw a similar one a while back but didn't pick it up.
BTW in the article mentioned it is
Scolymia australis and Scolymia cubensis
that should not be kept on sand.... I figure it is due to limited tissue expansion causing them not be able to push the sand away....the above type pictured should be fine.