HELP!!! Is this BJD??

[nvierra]

Had this frogspawn for about 2 weeks. It was happy at first, then spent about 3 days slightly retracted, and has been back out for about 5 days. It is now looking plump again. The only changes I’m seeing are that the tissue has areas with a brown tint to it. I never noticed that before, but it doesn’t mean it wasn’t there either. I just looked in the tank and it was excreting this brown substance. I fed reef chili last night. Is it BJD?? Parameters are great. Everything else is happy and healthy.

I have a torch coming tomorrow. Ugh….. what should I do if anything?

 

[nvierra]

Just saw the second head is doing the same.

 

[nvierra]

My other corals.

 

[sqm01]

Not BJD. It is expelling zooxanthella. It's usually a regulatory response to stress, like too much lighting. I wouldn't panic, just keep an eye on it.

This video helps explain it

 

[BryanM]

Not BJD. My experience with BJD is its like a cloud enveloping the head.

 

[nvierra]

Not BJD. My experience with BJD is its like a cloud enveloping the head.

Ok Thank you! I'm stressing about this torch that's coming in.

 

[BryanM]

Ok Thank you! I'm stressing about this torch that's coming in.

When you see real BJD your heart will skip a beat. You're in good shape :)

 

[nvierra]

Ok. I just don't recall the tissue showing any signs of a brown color inside. However.. I don't know that I ever looked for it either. That could be what it's always looked like. I am newer to saltwater and these are my first euphyllia so I'm extra paranoid after reading all the BJD horror stories.

 

[sqm01]

Ok. I just don't recall the tissue showing any signs of a brown color inside. However.. I don't know that I ever looked for it either. That could be what it's always looked like. I am newer to saltwater and these are my first euphyllia so I'm extra paranoid after reading all the BJD horror stories.

It's not brown jelly. It is easy to spot, their polyps retract and form this brown slime that pretty much takes over the coral rapidly. If you saw the examples in the video I linked earlier, it's pretty easy to distinguish.

The brown sludge being expelled out of the mouth of your frogspawn is zooxanthella. It might be because the coral is being hit with too much PAR. Since you said you got it recently, it makes sense for the coral to adjust to its new environment, and it's doing just that.

I would leave it in that spot and keep an eye on it. It will balance out the population it needs and then it will be happy. I wouldn't rush to move it or change anything since that might cause more stress.

 

[Marine Betta]

Had this frogspawn for about 2 weeks. It was happy at first, then spent about 3 days slightly retracted, and has been back out for about 5 days. It is now looking plump again. The only changes I’m seeing are that the tissue has areas with a brown tint to it. I never noticed that before, but it doesn’t mean it wasn’t there either. I just looked in the tank and it was excreting this brown substance. I fed reef chili last night. Is it BJD?? Parameters are great. Everything else is happy and healthy.

I have a torch coming tomorrow. Ugh….. what should I do if anything?

I agree with everyone. BJD also smells like death. It’s one of the worst smelling things out there.

Most LPS will expel zooxanthellae and it’s not always a stress response (I.e. bleaching). It’s also waste (poop), and if you feed your corals, they’ll do it more often.

 

[nvierra]

Wow, thank you both so much for the explanation. That is very helpful. I was so confused as to why it looked so healthy otherwise. This makes perfect sense. Thanks again!

 

[gusherfrog]

Had this frogspawn for about 2 weeks. It was happy at first, then spent about 3 days slightly retracted, and has been back out for about 5 days. It is now looking plump again. The only changes I’m seeing are that the tissue has areas with a brown tint to it. I never noticed that before, but it doesn’t mean it wasn’t there either. I just looked in the tank and it was excreting this brown substance. I fed reef chili last night. Is it BJD?? Parameters are great. Everything else is happy and healthy.

I have a torch coming tomorrow. Ugh….. what should I do if anything?

It looks to be just poop. Corals do this when they are full. Brown jelly will consume the entire polyp and you will definitely know

 

[vetteguy53081]

My other corals.

No and looks to be excess zooanthellae caused by either too much light and/or overfeeding