Doughnut / Donut Corals

There are two different scientific names currently being used for the Scolymia vitiensis, Doughnut coral. This comes from recent scientific work suggesting an improper name had been used for all these years, and the objection to the name coming from where in the worlds oceans the Dougnut coral comes from. The now "proper name" is Homophyllia australis. But the average aquarist still knows these beautiful corals as either a Doughnut coral or Scolymia vitiensis. It will most likely take another generation for Homophyllia australis to take hold.

The Doughnut Coral, Scolymia vitiensis is a large polyp stony coral with a round donut-like appearance, hence the names doughnut / donut corals. Doughnut corals can form more varied shapes than just a donut. Scolymia vitiensis tends to be dome shaped or flat, but can also be saucer-like or cup shaped. Scolymia corals colors are generally shades of green, red, orange, blue or purple. They can also have a combination of several colors. Some other common names for the Doughnut Coral are Button Coral, Scolymia Brain Coral, Button Scolymia Coral, Artichoke Coral, and Meat Coral. The Doughnut Coral is an absolute favourite choice for the beginner aquarist because it is both hardy and undemanding. Easy to maintain, it is less sensitive to injury of its skin and not very susceptible to harm from other aggressive coral stings. For best possible expansion, use low to moderate (medium level) lighting and keep the water current around the Doughnut coral very low. Place Doughnut corals in the rock work rather than on the substrate, as they will be damaged if buried in the sand. As a slow grower they will not take over your reef tank, but allow double the size of the Doughnut coral for room between the coral and any neighbouring reef tank coral. won't take over you tank anytime soon, but they do respond really well when being fed.

Another coral also called the Donut Coral is the Cynarina lacrymalis which is most often just called the Cynarina coral or Cats Eye. The Cynarina Coral looks to be very delicate in appearance, but looks are decieving in this case since the Cats Eye Doughnut coral is very hardy. The Cat's Eye Doughnut Coral, Cynarina lacrymalis is perhaps the largest single polyp coral in nature, and can be free living or attached to substrate. Cynarina have either a round or oval structure topped with translucent fleshy bubble shaped lobes. During the daytime when the Cynarina coral is expanded, the large underlying bone structure called septa can be visible through the lobes.

Cynarina coral colors can be very beautiful to drab. The Cat's Eye Coral can range from bright hues of red, pink, and neon green to drab browns or pastels. The center of the coral can be the same or a contrasting color. Finally, interesting to note, depending on the tank conditions, all Doughnut corals have an almost chameleon-like ability to change their surface skins appearance from a dull mottled look to a high glossy sheen.

There are two different scientific names currently being used for the Scolymia vitiensis, Doughnut coral. This comes from recent scientific work suggesting an improper name had been used for all these years, and the objection to the name coming from where in the worlds oceans the Dougnut coral comes from. The now "proper name" is Homophyllia australis. But the average aquarist still knows these beautiful corals as either a Doughnut coral or Scolymia vitiensis. It will most likely take another generation for Homophyllia australis to take hold.