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Top 5 Scolymia Corals in Canada for 2025: Expert Guide to Vibrant, Easy-Care Button Corals (Buyer-Tested Picks)

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

Scolymia corals, often called button corals, are single-polyp, disk-shaped LPS prized for bold color patterns and a compact, attention-grabbing form. In Canada they are especially popular with hobbyists who keep small to medium reef tanks because Scolymia offer dramatic visual impact without requiring large space. Buyers in Canadian urban centers tend to prefer specimens that balance vibrant coloration with hardiness—choices that tolerate moderate flow, respond well to targeted feeding, and acclimate reliably after shipment. Recent market trends show rising interest in captive-bred and graded specimens (Ultra Grade, Master Grade) for their consistent color and lower long-term maintenance, while seasonal import windows and provincial regulations shape availability and pricing.

Quick Menu

1. Best Australian Ultra Grade

2. Best Rainbow Coloration

3. Best Master Grade Australis

4. Best Striking Pattern

5. Best Fijian Ultra Specimen

1
BEST AUSTRALIAN ULTRA GRADE

Ultra Grade Australian Scolymia

Ultra Grade Australian Scolymia

Ultra Grade Australian Scolymia is positioned as the premium choice for Scolymia coral enthusiasts thanks to its exceptionally vivid coloration and proven lineage, commanding a higher price but offering collectors strong long-term value. Compared with the other options in this list it stands out for color stability and elite grading standards, making it a better financial investment for display-focused hobbyists who prioritize rarity and predictable growth over entry cost. Its technical advantages include careful propagation practices and rigorous quality control that reduce acclimation losses versus some market leader varieties.

4.4
★★★★☆
  • Neon Aussie hues

  • Thick fleshy tissue

  • Neon Aussie hues

  • Thick fleshy tissue

Review Summary

88%

"Highly sought after for intense coloration and large polyp size; most buyers praise its stability and growth under proper care, though a minority note occasional color fading if lighting or water parameters slip."

  • Opal-like shimmer

  • Top-tier color saturation and large polyp size.

  • Opal-like shimmer

  • Top-tier color saturation and large polyp size.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Ultra Grade Australian Scolymia is positioned as the premium choice for Scolymia coral enthusiasts thanks to its exceptionally vivid coloration and proven lineage, commanding a higher price but offering collectors strong long-term value. Compared with the other options in this list it stands out for color stability and elite grading standards, making it a better financial investment for display-focused hobbyists who prioritize rarity and predictable growth over entry cost. Its technical advantages include careful propagation practices and rigorous quality control that reduce acclimation losses versus some market leader varieties.

  • Neon Aussie hues

  • Thick fleshy tissue

  • Opal-like shimmer

  • Top-tier color saturation and large polyp size.

  • Thrives under low-to-moderate flow and moderate lighting.

  • Neon Aussie hues

  • Thick fleshy tissue

  • Opal-like shimmer

  • Top-tier color saturation and large polyp size.

  • Thrives under low-to-moderate flow and moderate lighting.

Order Now

$450-800 CAD

2
BEST RAINBOW COLORATION

Rainbow Bleeding Apple Scolymia

Rainbow Bleeding Apple Scolymia

Rainbow Bleeding Apple Scolymia is the market leader for color variety and accessibility, delivering broad appeal through striking multi-hued patterns and a more competitive price point than ultra-premium Australian specimens. In comparison to the ultra-grade and master-grade entries it offers better affordability and easier sourcing for hobbyists expanding collections, while still retaining eye-catching aesthetics that perform well under typical reef lighting. Its financial advantage is lower upfront cost with steady availability, and technically it is known for tolerant acclimation characteristics that reduce early losses.

4.1
★★★★☆
  • Prismatic color bleed

  • Responsive feeder

  • Prismatic color bleed

  • Responsive feeder

Review Summary

82%

"Striking multicolor pattern that many hobbyists rave about and that feeds readily; several users report it can be more fragile during acclimation and may show tissue recession if flow or lighting are incorrect."

  • Rainbow drip spectacle

  • Vivid multicolor patterns with bleeding edges that draw attention.

  • Rainbow drip spectacle

  • Vivid multicolor patterns with bleeding edges that draw attention.

Recreational Enjoyment

Self-Improvement & Personal Growth

Skill Development & Mastery

Rainbow Bleeding Apple Scolymia is the market leader for color variety and accessibility, delivering broad appeal through striking multi-hued patterns and a more competitive price point than ultra-premium Australian specimens. In comparison to the ultra-grade and master-grade entries it offers better affordability and easier sourcing for hobbyists expanding collections, while still retaining eye-catching aesthetics that perform well under typical reef lighting. Its financial advantage is lower upfront cost with steady availability, and technically it is known for tolerant acclimation characteristics that reduce early losses.

  • Prismatic color bleed

  • Responsive feeder

  • Rainbow drip spectacle

  • Vivid multicolor patterns with bleeding edges that draw attention.

  • Does best with moderate light and gentle water movement.

  • Prismatic color bleed

  • Responsive feeder

  • Rainbow drip spectacle

  • Vivid multicolor patterns with bleeding edges that draw attention.

  • Does best with moderate light and gentle water movement.

Order Now

$200-450 CAD

3
BEST MASTER GRADE AUSTRALIS

Master Grade Scolymia Australis

Master Grade Scolymia Australis

Master Grade Scolymia Australis claims rarity and pedigree, targeting serious collectors who value exceptional morphs and large polyp size despite its higher market price. Against the other products listed it combines the prestige of 'master grade' certification with demonstrable growth and propagation records, offering a premium technical profile that can justify resale value for investors in rare specimens. Financially it sits near the top of the market but provides collectors a differentiated asset through limited runs and distinctive traits.

4.6
★★★★☆
  • Collector-grade polish

  • Stable growth habit

  • Collector-grade polish

  • Stable growth habit

Review Summary

90%

"Top-tier specimen prized for exceptional color vibrancy and durability; reviewers call it a standout in collections with consistent growth under moderate care, but many mention the premium price and limited availability."

  • Benchmaster glow

  • Exceptional symmetry and size typical of master-grade specimens.

  • Benchmaster glow

  • Exceptional symmetry and size typical of master-grade specimens.

Skill Development & Mastery

Recreational Enjoyment

Master Grade Scolymia Australis claims rarity and pedigree, targeting serious collectors who value exceptional morphs and large polyp size despite its higher market price. Against the other products listed it combines the prestige of 'master grade' certification with demonstrable growth and propagation records, offering a premium technical profile that can justify resale value for investors in rare specimens. Financially it sits near the top of the market but provides collectors a differentiated asset through limited runs and distinctive traits.

  • Collector-grade polish

  • Stable growth habit

  • Benchmaster glow

  • Exceptional symmetry and size typical of master-grade specimens.

  • Requires very stable water chemistry and regular meaty feedings.

  • Collector-grade polish

  • Stable growth habit

  • Benchmaster glow

  • Exceptional symmetry and size typical of master-grade specimens.

  • Requires very stable water chemistry and regular meaty feedings.

Order Now

$350-700 CAD

4
BEST STRIKING PATTERN

Warpaint Scolymia

Warpaint Scolymia

Warpaint Scolymia is notable for its dramatic banded patterns and durability, making it an attractive mid-tier option for hobbyists who want standout visuals without the cost of master or ultra grades. Compared with the ultra- and master-grade corals it offers a more accessible price-to-impact ratio and is often recommended for aquarists seeking bold coloration with lower acclimation risk. Technically it is praised for hardiness and predictable feeding response, which reduces ongoing maintenance costs relative to rarer specimens.

4.3
★★★★☆
  • Bold stripe contrast

  • High color pop

  • Bold stripe contrast

  • High color pop

Review Summary

85%

"Distinctive, bold striping that gets compliments and generally exhibits good hardiness; owners note some variability between specimens in color intensity and banding consistency."

  • Armor-like banding

  • Distinctive contrasting stripes or spots resembling war paint.

  • Armor-like banding

  • Distinctive contrasting stripes or spots resembling war paint.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Warpaint Scolymia is notable for its dramatic banded patterns and durability, making it an attractive mid-tier option for hobbyists who want standout visuals without the cost of master or ultra grades. Compared with the ultra- and master-grade corals it offers a more accessible price-to-impact ratio and is often recommended for aquarists seeking bold coloration with lower acclimation risk. Technically it is praised for hardiness and predictable feeding response, which reduces ongoing maintenance costs relative to rarer specimens.

  • Bold stripe contrast

  • High color pop

  • Armor-like banding

  • Distinctive contrasting stripes or spots resembling war paint.

  • Prefers shaded placement with steady, low flow.

  • Bold stripe contrast

  • High color pop

  • Armor-like banding

  • Distinctive contrasting stripes or spots resembling war paint.

  • Prefers shaded placement with steady, low flow.

Order Now

$180-380 CAD

5
BEST FIJIAN ULTRA SPECIMEN

Ultra Scolymia Vitiensis

Ultra Scolymia Vitiensis

Ultra Scolymia Vitiensis brings Fijian-sourced robustness and strong growth potential, offering a competitive alternative to Australian ultra grades by balancing vivid coloration with resilience that suits moderate reef systems. Versus the Rainbow and Warpaint market leaders it tends to offer better long-term growth and resilience, often at a slightly lower premium than Australian ultra-grade corals, making it an attractive financial and technical compromise. Its strengths are field-hardy genetics and reliable acclimation, which can reduce mortality-related costs for buyers.

4.5
★★★★☆
  • Fiji-born brilliance

  • Lagoon-hardy strain

  • Fiji-born brilliance

  • Lagoon-hardy strain

Review Summary

87%

"Reliable and hardy variety with vivid coloration and strong feeding response; reviewers appreciate its resilience in mixed reef tanks, though growth can be slower than some other Scolymia types."

  • Sunlit speckle charm

  • Rare Vitiensis strain with intense coloration and textured tissue.

  • Sunlit speckle charm

  • Rare Vitiensis strain with intense coloration and textured tissue.

Recreational Enjoyment

Self-Improvement & Personal Growth

Skill Development & Mastery

Ultra Scolymia Vitiensis brings Fijian-sourced robustness and strong growth potential, offering a competitive alternative to Australian ultra grades by balancing vivid coloration with resilience that suits moderate reef systems. Versus the Rainbow and Warpaint market leaders it tends to offer better long-term growth and resilience, often at a slightly lower premium than Australian ultra-grade corals, making it an attractive financial and technical compromise. Its strengths are field-hardy genetics and reliable acclimation, which can reduce mortality-related costs for buyers.

  • Fiji-born brilliance

  • Lagoon-hardy strain

  • Sunlit speckle charm

  • Rare Vitiensis strain with intense coloration and textured tissue.

  • Benefits from consistent meaty feedings and moderate lighting.

  • Fiji-born brilliance

  • Lagoon-hardy strain

  • Sunlit speckle charm

  • Rare Vitiensis strain with intense coloration and textured tissue.

  • Benefits from consistent meaty feedings and moderate lighting.

Order Now

$400-750 CAD

What Research Says About Scolymia Care and Benefits

A combination of peer-reviewed coral biology research and applied aquaculture trials supports best practices for Scolymia care. Key findings important to hobbyists include the role of heterotrophic feeding in tissue growth and pigmentation, the benefit of moderate, controlled flow to avoid tissue damage, and the advantages of acclimation protocols to reduce shipping stress. Studies and aquaculture reports also emphasize the conservation and performance benefits of captive-bred stock compared with wild-collected specimens.

Nutrition: Research shows many LPS corals supplement photosynthesis with heterotrophic feeding; targeted feeding of meaty foods improves tissue growth and color intensity in Scolymia.

Flow and light: Experimental observations indicate Scolymia do best under moderate flow and stable lighting that supports symbiotic algae without bleaching the tissue.

Acclimation and water quality: Trials demonstrate stepwise acclimation after shipping and maintaining stable water parameters reduce stress and mortality.

Captive-bred advantages: Aquaculture studies and industry reports find captive-bred corals often have higher survival and acclimation rates, with reduced impact on wild populations.

Placement strategies: Hobbyist and small-scale studies recommend positioning Scolymia where they receive gentle target feeding and avoid direct strong currents from pumps.

In the Canadian context, Scolymia remain a top choice for aquarists who want a compact, showy centerpiece that fits urban reef setups. The five standout options listed here—Ultra Grade Australian Scolymia, Rainbow Bleeding Apple Scolymia, Master Grade Scolymia Australis, Warpaint Scolymia, and Ultra Scolymia Vitiensis—cover a range of color intensity and care requirements. For most Canadian hobbyists seeking a reliable balance of color and resilience, the Master Grade Scolymia Australis is a strong all-around pick. We hope you found what you were looking for; you can refine or expand your search using the site search to compare availability, grading, and shipping options across Canadian retailers.

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