Need Help with Diagnosis on an Acropora.

AKL1950 · Jul 21, 2024

Hey everybody. I need help with figuring out what I’m looking at here. First picture is a Homewrecker, PC Rainbow and SBB Apple Martini living close together. All have been there over a year. Second picture is the Apple Martini back in March. Third picture is just a wider view. The two dark spots on the Homewrecker are little barnacles I haven’t removed. I can’t figure out what has started growing on Apple Martini or is it just die off. To the eye, it is a dark reddish brown color. Could it be a little Acro warfare and the other two are killing it back. They were all growing fine up until they started merging. I tried blowing off whatever it is but it’s hard and won’t blow or scrape off.

Any ideas?

I’m thinking my best coarse of action may be to just remove the Apple Martini, frag off the top and try to start it again away from the other two corals.

Reef Wizard · Jul 22, 2024

Pics under white lighting would help with diagnosis

AKL1950 · Jul 22, 2024

Reef Wizard said:
Pics under white lighting would help with diagnosis

Roger that. Definitely shows what appears to be algae growing on the base. I’m thinking the other two colonies are killing it.

Reef Wizard · Jul 22, 2024

While im not an expert on coral warfare it does look like they are fighting a bit and id try to get that algae off the one. It will make that section bleach and die off

AKL1950 · Jul 22, 2024

Reef Wizard said:
While im not an expert on coral warfare it does look like they are fighting a bit and id try to get that algae off the one. It will make that section bleach and die off

I went ahead and cut off the top, trimmed it back and put it on a frag plug. I can save that part. The base is gone and the other colonies will cover over it. I knew when I started crowding frags on the rocks last year I would see some battles for space. This is the first one I’ve seen take a hit. Probably not the last. Things are getting crowded.

Really surprised all these guys are living happily together with no stinging. The little guy in the middle needs to push it up. Keep having to trim the others back for it.