My Bleeding Apple Scoly Coral is losing the sharp red/green contrast. What fine-tuning helps restore color?

Start by reducing PAR to the 70–120 range and increase spectrum around 10–14K with some white to avoid over-blue washout. Maintain stable alkalinity (8–9 dKH), calcium (420–450), and magnesium (1300–1400). Slightly richer nutrients (NO3 5–15 ppm, PO4 0.03–0.08) and weekly target feeds aid pigment density. Potassium and iodine within natural seawater ranges support reds; avoid rapid changes.

The mouth looks puffy and tissue is receding in a ring. Is this infection or irritation?

Check for sand abrasion, vermetid snail filaments, or nipping fish first. Increase gentle, laminar flow to keep detritus off the oral disc. Pause feeding 48 hours, then offer small, soft meaty foods. If recession progresses, do an iodine or broad-spectrum coral dip, trim vermetid tubes nearby, and stabilize parameters. Avoid high PAR during recovery.

Is it safe to frag Homophyllia australis to propagate color morphs?

It’s a single-polyp LPS with thick septa; cutting carries high mortality. If attempted, only use a diamond saw, cut cleanly through the skeleton, and ensure pristine water, strong but gentle flow, and amino/iodine support post-cut. Expect long healing times. Natural budding is rare but safer; most keepers acquire additional specimens instead of fragmenting.

Mine inflates dramatically by day, then deflates with exposed ridges at night. Normal or stress?

Daily expansion/deflation is typical for feeding and light regulation. Concern starts if the mouth gapes for days, tissue pulls from septa, or slime appears. Lower PAR, verify temperature stability, and rule out alkalinity swings. Moderate, indirect flow prevents stagnation. If signs persist, perform an antiseptic dip and reduce handling until polyp tone returns.

Bleeding Apple Scoly Coral

Scolymia

Overview

Bleeding Apple Scoly Coral shows bold red and green banding around a fleshy, round single polyp with a central mouth. Homophyllia australis is a large-polyp stony coral that prefers low to moderate light and gentle to moderate water flow. It is photosynthetic via symbiotic algae but benefits from occasional small meaty feedings, which can improve growth and coloration. Place on the sandbed or a smooth, stable surface and allow space from other corals due to a strong sting.

Quick Facts

Care Moderate

Lighting Low–Moderate

Flow Low–Moderate

Placement Low

Temperament Aggressive (6–8 inches spacing)

Recommended Parameters

Temp 76–80°F

pH 8.1–8.4

Salinity 1.025–1.026

Calcium 400–450 ppm

AlkAlkalinity 8–9 dKH

Magnesium 1280–1350 ppm

Feeding photosynthetic, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, chopped krill, finely chopped shrimp or fish, clam meat, LPS pellets, zooplankton, microplankton, coral-specific microfoods

Care & Placement

Bleeding Apple Scoly Coral (Homophyllia australis) prefers stable, clean water with gentle conditions. Provide low–moderate light (PAR 60–120); start shaded and increase over 2–3 weeks to avoid bleaching. Use low, indirect flow—enough to keep detritus from settling but not so strong that tissue folds or peels. Target feed 2–3 times weekly with small meaty foods (mysis, chopped clam, LPS pellets); feed at night or when feeding tentacles extend and pause pumps to prevent food loss. Maintain temperature 76–79°F, salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.0–8.3, alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH, calcium 420–460 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.08 ppm. Test weekly, use a refractometer for salinity, and aim for stability over chasing exact numbers.Place on the sandbed or a flat, padded rock ledge to protect the fleshy base; avoid sharp edges. Allow 3–6 inches of space from neighbors—this coral inflates and can sting nearby tissue. Semi‑aggressive but generally peaceful if given room. Acclimate with a 30–45 minute drip, then light-acclimate slowly. Common issues: bleaching (too much light), tissue recession (excess flow, unstable alkalinity, or very low nutrients), and brown jelly infections after damage. If recession starts, move to lower light/flow, improve stability, and consider an iodine-based dip with improved aeration. Keep nutrients detectable, siphon debris around the base during water changes, and avoid handling the fleshy polyp to prevent tears.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Bleeding Apple Scoly Coral

My Bleeding Apple Scoly Coral is losing the sharp red/green contrast. What fine-tuning helps restore color?

Start by reducing PAR to the 70–120 range and increase spectrum around 10–14K with some white to avoid over-blue washout. Maintain stable alkalinity (8–9 dKH), calcium (420–450), and magnesium (1300–1400). Slightly richer nutrients (NO3 5–15 ppm, PO4 0.03–0.08) and weekly target feeds aid pigment density. Potassium and iodine within natural seawater ranges support reds; avoid rapid changes.
The mouth looks puffy and tissue is receding in a ring. Is this infection or irritation?

Check for sand abrasion, vermetid snail filaments, or nipping fish first. Increase gentle, laminar flow to keep detritus off the oral disc. Pause feeding 48 hours, then offer small, soft meaty foods. If recession progresses, do an iodine or broad-spectrum coral dip, trim vermetid tubes nearby, and stabilize parameters. Avoid high PAR during recovery.
Is it safe to frag Homophyllia australis to propagate color morphs?

It’s a single-polyp LPS with thick septa; cutting carries high mortality. If attempted, only use a diamond saw, cut cleanly through the skeleton, and ensure pristine water, strong but gentle flow, and amino/iodine support post-cut. Expect long healing times. Natural budding is rare but safer; most keepers acquire additional specimens instead of fragmenting.
Mine inflates dramatically by day, then deflates with exposed ridges at night. Normal or stress?

Daily expansion/deflation is typical for feeding and light regulation. Concern starts if the mouth gapes for days, tissue pulls from septa, or slime appears. Lower PAR, verify temperature stability, and rule out alkalinity swings. Moderate, indirect flow prevents stagnation. If signs persist, perform an antiseptic dip and reduce handling until polyp tone returns.

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