My torch just had these brown strands of what i can compare to hair come out its mouth. What is this? At first i thought it was its stingers but then the flow blew them away in to the filter. Did it just throw up?
Zooxanthellae expulsion - When stressed, corals can expel their symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae), which can appear as brown stringy material. This is concerning as it may indicate the coral is bleaching or under stress.
Mucus with debris - Corals naturally produce mucus to trap particles and waste, which can appear brown and stringy when expelled, especially if it contains digested food particles or accumulated detritus.
Mesenterial filaments - These are the coral’s digestive filaments that can be extruded from the mouth during feeding or stress. They typically appear as white or brownish stringy material.
Check your water parameters immediately - test for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and salinity. Sudden changes in water quality, temperature fluctuations, or poor flow can stress torch corals. Also examine your lighting schedule and intensity, as changes can trigger zooxanthellae expulsion.
If the coral’s polyps are still extending normally and it’s responding to feeding, it may just be clearing out waste. But if you notice polyp recession, color loss, or the coral staying closed, this could indicate more serious stress that needs addressing quickly.
