Doughnut Coral
(Scolymia sp.)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 6″
Color Form: White
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Mussidae
Polyp Size: LPS - Large Polyp Stony

The Scolymia sp. Doughnut Coral is a large polyp stony (LPS) coral and often referred to as the Cat’s Eye, Tooth, Button, Teary Eye, or Meat Coral. The Scolymia Doughnut Coral is a round solitary coral, one of the largest single-polyped corals found in nature today, and available in many different color forms from pastel to bright and translucent, to drab variations.

While it is not an aggressive coral, it should be provided with adequate spacing between itself and other corals because it can expand to twice its size. It is easy to maintain in the reef aquarium and makes an excellent choice for both the beginner or advanced reef aquarist. It requires medium lighting combined with low water movement. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

It should be fed meaty foods such as micro-plankton or brine shrimp at night.

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Scolymia Button Coral
(Scolymia vitiensis)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Lighting: Moderate
Waterflow: Medium
Placement: Bottom
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Strontium, Trace Elements
Family: Mussidae

The Scolymia Button Coral is a large polyp stony (LPS) coral and also referred to as the Doughnut, Artichoke, or Disk Coral. It is a round, solitary coral, usually having a single oral opening present in the center, however, multiple openings have been present in some species. The Scolymia Button Coral is found in many different mottled color forms of dark green, red, or brown with cup-, or saucer-, flat-, or dome-shaped variations. It is not an outwardly aggressive coral, but should be provided with plenty of space between itself and other corals because it can expand twice its size during the day.

The Scolymia Button Coral is easy to maintain in the reef aquarium and in the wild, and is often found in association with Tridacna Clams. It makes an excellent choice for both the beginner and advanced reef aquarist. It requires moderate lighting combined with moderate water movement within the reef aquarium. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water. Its feeding tentacles appear during the evening and while exposed, will feed on meaty foods such as micro-plankton or brine shrimp.

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Button Coral, Cynarina
(Cynarina lacrymalis)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Lighting: Moderate
Waterflow: Low
Placement: Bottom to Middle
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Green, Red, Tan, White
Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Trace Elements
Origin: Australia, Eastern Asia
Family: Mussidae
Polyp Size: LPS - Large Polyp Stony

The Cynarina Button Coral is a large polyp stony (LPS) coral and often referred to as the Cat’s Eye, Tooth, Doughnut, Teary Eye, or Meat Coral. Its genus name, Cynarina, is derived from the Greek word kinara (artichoke) and ina (similar to) and as the naming foreshadows, it really does resemble an artichoke. The Cynarina Button Coral is a round solitary coral, one of the largest single-polyped corals found in nature today, and available in many different color forms from pastel to bright and translucent, to drab variations. Sometimes, it is confused with its closest relative, Scolymia.

While it is not an aggressive coral, it should be provided with adequate spacing between itself and other corals because it can expand to twice its size. It is easy to maintain in the reef aquarium and makes an excellent choice for both the beginner or advanced reef aquarist. It requires medium lighting combined with low water movement. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

It should be fed meaty foods such as micro-plankton or brine shrimp at night.

Shop for Cynarina Button Coral at LiveAquaria.com