Microbes on Dying Birdsnest ID

[nasotang]

I had this green birdnest coral growing well but had it next to a hammer coral. They touched sometimes and I would trim back the birdsnest but life got busy and missed a couple of pruning. The coral started STNing so I fragged off a few pieces and placed them around the tank. Out of curiosity I checked one of the dying pieces under a microscope at 40x and this is what i saw. Any ID of the microbe?

 

[Crabs McJones]

@Flippers4pups any thoughts or ideas?

 

[Flippers4pups]

@Flippers4pups any thoughts or ideas?

Yes, they are ciliates. A protozoan. Clean up crew of the dead tissue.

 

[nasotang]

@Flippers4pups thanks!
Not sure if the videos shows but active little buggers. I’m tempted to break a healthy piece and see if they’re normally there but held in check by healthy tissue. explode in population on stressed/dying corals.

 

[Flippers4pups]

@Flippers4pups thanks!
Not sure if the videos shows but active little buggers. I’m tempted to break a healthy piece and see if they’re normally there but held in check by healthy tissue. explode in population on stressed/dying corals.

It's best to frag off the dead and dieing tissue and remove it form the tank.