Bleeding Apple Scoly – Premium Red & Green Scolymia LPS Coral

About This Coral

Add spectacular color and natural beauty to your saltwater aquarium with the Bleeding Apple Scoly, a premium large-polyp stony (LPS) coral celebrated for its brilliant red and green coloration, distinctive patterns, and impressive fleshy tissue expansion.

Bleeding Apple Scolymia corals are among the most recognizable and sought-after varieties in the reef aquarium hobby. Their striking appearance typically features a vibrant green base or center accented by rich red, orange-red, or crimson markings that create the distinctive “Bleeding Apple” effect.

The contrast between these colors can become especially dramatic under appropriate reef aquarium lighting, making this coral a beautiful centerpiece for an established marine aquarium.

Commonly called Scolys, Button Corals, or Doughnut Corals, these remarkable corals feature a single, large, fleshy polyp surrounding a hard calcium carbonate skeleton.

Australian Scolymia commonly sold in the aquarium trade are generally associated with Homophyllia australis, formerly classified as Scolymia australis.

The Bleeding Apple designation describes a particular color pattern rather than a separate scientifically recognized species.

Unlike branching corals that form extensive colonies, Scolymia typically grow as individual rounded specimens. Their tissue can inflate considerably under favorable conditions, creating a beautiful disc-shaped appearance.

Their impressive coloration, manageable lighting requirements, and fascinating feeding responses make Bleeding Apple Scolys especially desirable to collectors of premium LPS corals.

With stable aquarium conditions, gentle water movement, appropriate lighting, and occasional supplemental feeding, the Bleeding Apple Scoly can become a striking long-term addition to a mature reef aquarium.

This product is a live coral. Individual size, color intensity, markings, and appearance may vary.

Features

• Classic Bleeding Apple coloration combines vibrant green with contrasting red or orange-red markings.
• Premium Scolymia variety popular among collectors of colorful Australian LPS corals.
• Large, fleshy polyp creates an impressive rounded appearance.
• Distinctive disc-shaped growth makes an attractive sand-bed centerpiece.
• Beautiful under reef aquarium lighting with colors that may appear fluorescent under blue-spectrum illumination.
• Low-to-moderate lighting preference accommodates many established marine reef systems.
• Gentle, indirect water flow supports healthy tissue expansion.
• Photosynthetic coral obtains much of its energy from symbiotic algae.
• Supplemental feeding response allows the coral to capture appropriately sized marine meaty foods.
• Excellent for LPS coral collections alongside carefully spaced compatible species.
• Relatively peaceful temperament compared with many aggressive stony corals.
• Slow-growing specimen that maintains an attractive individual-polyp form.
• Ideal for lower aquarium placement on a stable, smooth surface.
• Unique natural patterns make each Bleeding Apple Scoly visually distinctive.
• Beautiful centerpiece potential for established reef aquarium displays.

Specifications

Recommended Water Parameters

These are general Scolymia husbandry guidelines. Individual specimens may respond differently depending on their previous holding conditions, and stable water chemistry is more important than maintaining any single exact value.

Lighting Requirements

The Bleeding Apple Scoly generally thrives under low-to-moderate reef aquarium lighting.

An initial intensity of approximately 50–120 PAR is suitable for many specimens, although some may tolerate moderately brighter conditions after gradual acclimation.

Excessively intense lighting can cause bleaching, persistent tissue contraction, or reduced coloration.

Lighting Recommendations

• Begin newly introduced specimens in a lower-light area.
• Increase lighting gradually when appropriate.
• Avoid sudden changes in photoperiod or intensity.
• Monitor tissue inflation and coloration.
• Reduce light exposure if bleaching or persistent contraction develops.
• Maintain a consistent daily lighting schedule.

Blue-spectrum lighting may emphasize the coral’s fluorescent green and red pigmentation, but its appearance will depend on the individual specimen and lighting conditions.

Water Flow Requirements

The Bleeding Apple Scoly prefers gentle, indirect water movement.

Appropriate circulation helps transport nutrients and remove waste without damaging the coral’s delicate fleshy tissue.

Avoid placing the coral directly in front of a strong wavemaker or return nozzle.

Excessive flow can force the tissue against its underlying skeleton, potentially causing abrasion or injury.

The ideal location allows the coral to inflate naturally without being pushed or folded by strong currents.

Feeding and Nutrition

Bleeding Apple Scolys receive a substantial portion of their energy through photosynthesis, supported by symbiotic algae within their tissues.

However, they can also capture and consume appropriately sized marine meaty foods.

Supplemental feeding can support healthy tissue development and provide an opportunity to observe the coral’s fascinating feeding response.

Suitable Foods

• Mysis shrimp
• Finely chopped marine shrimp
• Small portions of marine fish
• Appropriate LPS coral pellets
• Finely chopped krill
• Specialized meaty coral foods

Recommended Feeding Schedule

Offer small amounts of appropriately sized food approximately once or twice per week, depending on the specimen’s condition and feeding response.

A feeding pipette can be used to gently place food near the coral’s central mouth.

Temporarily reducing strong circulation may help the coral capture its food.

Do not force-feed or offer oversized portions.

Remove uneaten food when necessary to maintain water quality.

Placement and Coral Compatibility

Ideal Placement

The Bleeding Apple Scoly is generally best positioned on a clean, stable sand bed or a smooth lower rock surface.

Its fleshy tissue may expand considerably beyond the exposed skeleton, so avoid sharp rocks and unstable surfaces.

Choose a location offering:

• Low-to-moderate lighting
• Gentle, indirect water circulation
• A smooth supporting surface
• Adequate room for full tissue expansion
• Separation from aggressive neighboring corals
• Protection from shifting rocks and falling equipment

Mixed Reef Compatibility

Scolymia corals can be maintained in mixed reef aquariums when given sufficient clearance.

Although generally less aggressive than some other LPS corals, they possess stinging cells and may be injured by neighboring species.

Keep the Bleeding Apple Scoly away from aggressive corals such as Galaxea and certain Euphyllia varieties that can extend long sweeper tentacles.

Tissue Expansion

Under favorable conditions, a Bleeding Apple Scoly may inflate well beyond the size of its hard skeleton.

Allow generous space around the coral and avoid crowding it between neighboring rocks or other livestock.

Growth and Development

Bleeding Apple Scolys generally grow slowly compared with many colonial corals.

They typically remain as a single large fleshy polyp while gradually increasing skeletal and tissue size over time.

Healthy development depends on:

• Stable alkalinity and calcium
• Consistent salinity and temperature
• Suitable lighting
• Gentle water movement
• Adequate nutrition
• Protection from tissue damage

Conventional fragging is generally not recommended because cutting a solitary Scolymia can cause significant injury and poor survival.

Acclimation and Introduction Instructions

1. Inspect the shipment: Carefully examine the coral and shipping container upon arrival.
2. Check aquarium conditions: Verify that temperature, salinity, alkalinity, and other major parameters are stable.
3. Equalize temperature: Gradually bring the sealed shipping container toward the aquarium’s temperature.
4. Follow appropriate acclimation procedures: Avoid unnecessarily prolonged exposure to opened shipping water.
5. Inspect the coral: Look for tissue damage, unusual mucus, exposed skeleton, or unwanted hitchhikers.
6. Handle by the skeleton or base: Never lift or squeeze the coral by its inflated tissue.
7. Use coral dips cautiously: Follow the manufacturer’s directions and verify compatibility with fleshy LPS corals.
8. Quarantine when possible: Observe the specimen separately before adding it to an established reef.
9. Choose a protected location: Position the coral on the sand bed or a smooth lower surface.
10. Begin with gentle lighting and flow: Allow the coral to adjust before increasing intensity.
11. Monitor closely: Watch for normal tissue expansion, coloration, feeding responses, and signs of stress.

Never pour shipping water or coral-dip solution directly into the display aquarium.

Signs of a Healthy Bleeding Apple Scoly

Healthy specimens commonly display:

• Full, fleshy tissue expansion
• Bright coloration consistent with the individual specimen
• Intact tissue covering the living skeleton
• A central mouth that is not persistently gaping
• Normal responses to supplemental feeding
• No progressive tissue recession

Temporary contraction following shipping or handling can be normal.

However, persistent deflation, tissue tearing, significant bleaching, a gaping mouth, or exposed skeleton where tissue was previously present may indicate environmental stress or damage.

Important Product Information

The Bleeding Apple Scoly is a live LPS coral intended for established saltwater reef aquariums.

Bleeding Apple is an aquarium-trade name describing a red-and-green Scolymia color pattern rather than a distinct species.

Individual specimens can vary considerably in the distribution and intensity of their colors.

The scientific name Homophyllia australis applies to many Australian Scolymia sold in the hobby, but the exact identification should be confirmed for the available specimen.

Unless specifically advertised as WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), product photographs should be treated as representative rather than guarantees of the exact coral supplied.

Coral appearance may differ under white, blue, and actinic reef aquarium lighting.

Frag size, diameter, and exact coloration depend on current inventory.

This coral is not suitable for freshwater aquariums.

Availability and Pricing

We ship daily, contact us for availability and price.

Recommended Application

The Bleeding Apple Scoly is a spectacular choice for established mixed reef aquariums, premium Australian LPS collections, and hobbyists seeking a vivid red-and-green coral centerpiece.

With its dramatic fleshy tissue, distinctive coloration, manageable lighting requirements, and fascinating feeding behavior, this beautiful Scolymia can become one of the most eye-catching specimens in a carefully maintained reef display.