Button Scolymia

Button Scolymia corals (also known as *Scolymia australis*) are a type of solitary coral found in the Indo-Pacific region. Here are some interesting facts about them:

 

1. **Appearance**: Button Scolymia corals have a round, flat shape, resembling a button or disc, with a central mouth surrounded by colorful, often fluorescent tissue. Their colors can vary from green, red, orange, purple, and yellow, and they can also have intricate patterns.

 

2. **Solitary Behavior**: Unlike many coral species that form large colonies, Button Scolymia corals are solitary, meaning each coral exists individually rather than in a group.

 

3. **Feeding**: These corals are carnivorous and primarily feed on plankton, small fish, and other particles that drift past their tentacles. They use their tentacles to capture prey and bring it to their mouth.

 

4. **Symbiotic Relationship**: Like many other corals, Button Scolymia has a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae (microscopic algae). These algae live in the coral’s tissues and provide energy to the coral through photosynthesis, while the coral offers a safe place for the algae to thrive.

 

5. **Growth**: They have a relatively slow growth rate. Button Scolymia corals can grow to about 4-6 inches in diameter over several years.

 

6. **Care in Aquariums**: Button Scolymia is popular in marine aquariums due to its attractive appearance, but it can be sensitive to water quality and light intensity. It's important to provide stable water parameters, moderate light, and proper feeding.

 

7. **Reproduction**: Button Scolymia corals reproduce sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction occurs through the release of eggs and sperm into the water column, while asexual reproduction can occur through budding, where a new coral forms from an existing one.

 

These corals are beautiful additions to the marine environment, both in the wild and in aquariums, but they require care and attention to thrive.