Motipora cap getting covered by coroline algae

[John-]

My tank is 8 months old, and doing well for a newbie. I have a beautiful plating motipora that just started to really grow. I then noticed small purple coraline algae where the coral connects to the rock. It is now growing onto and across the coral. I see the coral is bleaching in the area just under the area where the algae is growing. I know coraline algae is supposed to be a sign of reef health and ecouraqged, but I would hate to loose this moti to it. I rtried to gently pry some off, but it was really hardedned to it, and I did not want to damage any coral tissue. Any suggestions?

 

[Ajayabb]

From my experience when coralline has grown on monti caps it usually indicates the coral has died in that area. I wonder if you could cut that section off

 

[Tahoe61]

If you can get an image under white light that would help confirm possible bleaching and ID of algae.

 

[edsbeaker]

Can you get some photos? I haven’t ever heard of coraline growing on living corals, skeletons and dead corals maybe.

 

[Dburr1014]

My tank is 8 months old, and doing well for a newbie. I have a beautiful plating motipora that just started to really grow. I then noticed small purple coraline algae where the coral connects to the rock. It is now growing onto and across the coral. I see the coral is bleaching in the area just under the area where the algae is growing. I know coraline algae is supposed to be a sign of reef health and ecouraqged, but I would hate to loose this moti to it. I rtried to gently pry some off, but it was really hardedned to it, and I did not want to damage any coral tissue.

Any suggestions?

First, I suggest a pic in white light to see what's going on.

It may NOT be coraline.

 

[John-]

 

[John-]

 

[John-]

Not looking like coraline under white lights at all. But the coral has been expanding and you can see the white edges of growth. thoughts, suggestions or advice?

 

[John-]

Also, any idea what type of invert or pest are leaving this squiggly trails of eaten algae on my glass?

 

[John-]

The inverts I know of in the tank, put there by me are: blue leg hermit crabs, Astrea snails and some newly added bumble bee snails.

 

[voelter76]

Also, any idea what type of invert or pest are leaving this squiggly trails of eaten algae on my glass?

That is a snail trail. My little Trochus snails leave that pattern all the time.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Is there another coral close to it that can sting it?

It is growing like you said, but its also dying from that angle... keep an eye on it, maybe something is munching on it, maybe shadow in that spot? Good luck with that

 

[Dburr1014]

Also, any idea what type of invert or pest are leaving this squiggly trails of eaten algae on my glass?

Snails

Looks like it's dying where it's attached. Make sure you have flow in that area and nothing stinging it.

 

[Planted Reef]

If it were me, I would pop that off and frag it before it's gone

 

[John-]

I removed the Monti, fragged off a piece, and cut off the dying spots on the larger original coral, and have them both back in the tank. We shall see. Both seem to have good color this morning. I'm trying to learn, but this part of the hobby (SPS corals) is for sure difficult!

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

My tank is 8 months old, and doing well for a newbie. I have a beautiful plating motipora that just started to really grow. I then noticed small purple coraline algae where the coral connects to the rock. It is now growing onto and across the coral. I see the coral is bleaching in the area just under the area where the algae is growing. I know coraline algae is supposed to be a sign of reef health and ecouraqged, but I would hate to loose this moti to it. I rtried to gently pry some off, but it was really hardedned to it, and I did not want to damage any coral tissue. Any suggestions?

it’s a cap- the coraline is probably more beautiful and desired than the cap. I’d give you a piece of my cap if you were near me

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I removed the Monti, fragged off a piece, and cut off the dying spots on the larger original coral, and have them both back in the tank. We shall see. Both seem to have good color this morning. I'm trying to learn, but this part of the hobby (SPS corals) is for sure difficult!

i’m at the 8th month like you with my current tank. in a few months the tank will begin to stabilize so keeping more sps won’t be as hard