Scolymia vs. trachyphyilla

[Pico Perfect]

I am considering adding a scoly or trachy to my established tank as the signature piece. Tank is currently softies and a hammer coral.

My question is, what are the differences between scolys and trachys? Is one harder to care for than the other? Differences in what they like pertaining to light or flow?

Any differences I should consider in making my choice? I only have room to add one, so I can't get both!

 

[currentking]

Trachy can’t handle as much flow because it can inflate quite a bit.

trachy

Scoly

 

[Uncle99]

Both great and can be kept rather close.

 

[OrangeCountyReefer]

Both are great, similar lower light requirements and both love to eat.

 

[tnewell]

My 2 cents is this, check the flow of the area you want to put the “prized coral” “showpiece”. Imo for a larger tank, a Trachy is larger and would be better isolated rather than a scoly have MAGNIFICENT color, but they are quite smaller and look better in scoly gardens.

 

[Pico Perfect]

My 2 cents is this, check the flow of the area you want to put the “prized coral” “showpiece”. Imo for a larger tank, a Trachy is larger and would be better isolated rather than a scoly have MAGNIFICENT color, but they are quite smaller and look better in scoly gardens.

Given tank size, 13.5 gallons, either will be an isolated piece.

 

[Chasenm]

I think a Scoly would look a bit better in a pico tank like yours, unless you get a small Trachy.

 

[Kellie in CA]

My Trachy is easily my most beautiful piece, but it is also my most high maintenance. Because my tank is small, finding the right flow for it is a real challenge. Even the most gentle water movement causes a side of it to cave in.

 

[Pico Perfect]

My Trachy is easily my most beautiful piece, but it is also my most high maintenance. Because my tank is small, finding the right flow for it is a real challenge. Even the most gentle water movement causes a side of it to cave in.

Good input! I have a hammer coral that I have moved around to test flow strength. Maybe I'll do more of that to find the right place.

With the input here, I'm think more scoly. It being smaller and lower may also help keep it out of high flow.

 

[drbark]

Given tank size, 13.5 gallons, either will be an isolated piece.

I was going to say if you wanted a show piece then look into acanthophyllias but you have a small tank so either one would do.

 

[anthonyt987]

Both great and can be kept rather close.

I wouldn’t agree about keeping it too close, trachys can inflate quite a bit and will move in a tank with decent flow. My trachy got some puffy but lost it’s color and I noticed it was touching the scoly. Once I moved it there was a decent chunk missing in my trachy

 

[SamMule]

I vote scoly in a 13.5.
Trachys can inflate a LOT. My little 2" trachy fully inflates close to 5" across.
Scolys don't get that big, but a trachy will keep growing and eventually take up a lot of precious space.

 

[tnewell]

Agreed with above, in a nano tank, scolys are small and have beautiful colors!