Vitiensis Scoly Care Guide
Vitiensis Scoly (Lobophyllia vitiensis) is a LPS coral. Care covers 50-150 PAR, low flow, reef parameters and feeding; intermediate level.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Vitiensis Scoly (Lobophyllia vitiensis) is a LPS coral in the family Lobophylliidae. Indo-Pacific solitary scoly (formerly Scolymia vitiensis). More affordable than Aussie Scoly with respectable color.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lobophylliidae
- Genus: Lobophyllia
- Scientific name: Lobophyllia vitiensis
- Common synonyms: Indo Scoly
Habitat
In the wild, Lobophyllia vitiensis is reported from Indo-Pacific, where it occupies mid to lower reef slopes and lagoons (typically 5-30 m). The species adopts a massive growth form on hard substrate within zooxanthellate reef communities.
Tank requirements
- Salinity (specific gravity): 1.024-1.026
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-11
- Calcium: 400-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Phosphate (max): 0.03 ppm
- Nitrate (max): 5 ppm
- Minimum system age: 3 months
Placement and lighting
- PAR (placement zone): 50-150 PAR
- Water flow: low
Mount this LPS coral on the lower or mid rockwork or on the sand bed (for free-living forms) where light is moderate. Strong direct flow can damage the fleshy tissue; aim for indirect, varied movement.
Feeding
Lobophyllia vitiensis hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae and derives most of its energy through photosynthesis. Supplemental target feeding accelerates growth and supports colouration; commonly accepted items include mysis, reef-roids. Feed once or twice per week after lights-out, when polyps are extended.
Compatibility
This coral is moderately aggressive toward neighbours. It extends sweeper tentacles capable of stinging adjacent corals, so leave generous spacing (10-20 cm) between colonies. Reef-safe with most fish and invertebrates.
Care notes
Difficulty level: intermediate. Reported skeletal growth in well-tuned reef tanks is approximately 0.05-0.2 cm/month. Propagation by fragmentation is straightforward for massive colonies — separate branches or polyps with a bone cutter, glue to plug, allow 1-2 weeks for healing. Maintain stable alkalinity (avoid swings above ±0.5 dKH per day) to preserve tissue health.
Vitiensis Scoly (Lobophyllia vitiensis) Propagation Guide
Overview
The Indo Scoly is an Indo-Pacific solitary scoly, Lobophyllia vitiensis (formerly Scolymia vitiensis), in the family Lobophylliidae. Like the Australian scolys, it presents as a single fleshy disc rather than a colony of separate heads. As a solitary-polyp coral it does not lend itself to ordinary fragging.
Reproductive Mode
As a single-polyp scoly, Lobophyllia vitiensis behaves like its relatives in propagation: cutting straight through the polyp with a coral saw usually ends in its loss, and it does not reliably bud new polyps at the base. Aquarists therefore favor either a careful bottom-up skeleton trim, as practiced on Homophyllia, or sexual spawning over destructive cutting.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
- Treat it as a single irreplaceable polyp; do not saw through the disc.
- If trimming is attempted, work the skeleton from underneath and cut extremely close without exposing or holing the flesh.
- Read the interior valley to gauge where the polyp tissue sits before any cut.
- If a hole is accidentally opened, regeneration is still possible but much slower.
- Grow the coral out so the underside can regenerate new flesh, repeating only at long intervals.
Because vitiensis is solitary, the safest route to more corals is to keep the single piece healthy rather than risk it in a cut.
Conditions for Propagation
Scolys prefer moderate to lower lighting, since strong light can bleach them and too little undermines long-term health. Moderate, indirect flow keeps detritus off the fleshy disc without tearing it. Spot feeding meaty foods such as mysis a couple of times a week supplies much of the energy a recovering coral needs.
Sexual Reproduction
Solitary scolys reproduce sexually on the reef, and related single-polyp Lobophylliidae have been broadcast spawners. Larval propagation is specialized rather than a routine hobby method, but it is the non-destructive path that does not put the only polyp at risk.
Common Challenges
The defining challenge is that there is only one polyp to lose. A failed cut destroys the coral, and even careful trimming regenerates slowly, so most keepers prioritize stable husbandry over propagation attempts on this species.