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Rtn is started by a stress event. Water parameter swing or parameter consistently incorrect, temperature swing, excessive par, etc....
When this happens, bad bacteria attack the compromised tissue and kill it. This allows the proliferation of the bad bacteria which can allow their numbers to then spread to healthy coral nearby. This is why RTN can spread to healthy corals nearby. Pathogens then eat the dead or dieing tissue, exposing the skeleton underneath. This is a very watered down explanation of a very complicated process.
When this happens, bad bacteria attack the compromised tissue and kill it. This allows the proliferation of the bad bacteria which can allow their numbers to then spread to healthy coral nearby. This is why RTN can spread to healthy corals nearby. Pathogens then eat the dead or dieing tissue, exposing the skeleton underneath. This is a very watered down explanation of a very complicated process.