Acro dieing from below

[Ben Pedersen]

I’ve had a reef tank for more than 30 years and have had acros for around 15 years. I’ve never seen this before. Starting about a month ago, several of my large healthy acros started turning white around their bases. Slowly, the white grows until all the coral’s tissue is gone. It started with a metalic pinkish-yellow milli that I’ve had for more than 8 years. I fragged a large piece of that and put it next to a large red planet colony. That frag was the first to show symptoms and die. The red planet then got it. Then 2 colonies of garfs got it. Now, corals all over my tank have it. I’ve had to emergency frag several corals that I’ve had for many years.

This issue doesn’t seem to affect birds nest, encrusting corals, clams or a few others, but most branching acros and millis are affected. I initially thought it was due to a contaminant in the water and made multiple water changes, but the plague e continues to spread.

The strange thing is that the corals are all still growing and showing good polyp extention and color. I’ve tested my water multiple times. Alk around 8.5, PH 8.3, and all other parameters are perfect. The corals aren’t starving.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Foothill Corals]

My first thought is a pest. AEFWs? The sudden death though... that does sound odd.

 

[Ben Pedersen]

Here are some photos..

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Wow I hope u find answers quick! That's a beautiful reef!

 

[Ben Pedersen]

It’s like watching a train reck in slow motion. The 4th photo is the same red planet I have as my profile photo. Now all the brach bases are white with no tissue and it is creeping up.

 

[Ben Pedersen]

My first thought is a pest. AEFWs? The sudden death though... that does sound odd.

Sadly, it isnt AEFWs. I have a six line wrass that would take care of them. Also, the die off pattern is different.

 

[pga7602]

My first thought is a pest. AEFWs? The sudden death though... that does sound odd.

I disagree.. check out his PE

 

[TexasTodd]

No other changes with the system, lights, etc.? What is phosphate at?

 

[Foothill Corals]

Not sure what trigger it but I believe what you are dealing with now is a viral problem. Basically RTN, if so... not sure what you can do other than keep parameters stable and wait for it to burn itself out.

This happened to me one time on my last reef when it grew out and was really full. It started on the corals that were shaded and or needed more flow during an Alk fluctuation. It was hard to watch but I just stayed on course and the tank eventually turned around and bounced back. Make frags of what you do not want to loose if needed.

 

[Foothill Corals]

Is it possible that you no longer have enough flow now that the corals have grown out?

 

[BoomCorals]

I had this happen when nutrients got way too low.

 

[rock_lobster]

"all parameters are perfect" doesnt help us much.

 

[Ezeke1]

I’ve experienced the same problem where the bleaching starts at the base and spreads. From frags to colonies it does not matter and slowly other frags will be affected.

Although I do not what caused it other than some kind of pests, I was able to stop the spread by bayer dipping all affected corals. In fact I methodically dipped all corals in my tank over a course of weeks and it has stopped the spread.

 

[Mattrg02]

I’ve always wondered if virus or bacteria or whatever microbes that cause this could be held off by a strong uv sterilizer?

 

[Ben Pedersen]

I pesonally think it’s bacterial. As the tissue is affected, more pathogen is created and infects other corals. The corals are on top of each other, making it easier to spread. Also, I have noticed the hermit crabs seem to be spreading it.

It is possible that I infected the tank with a common soil bacteria (I spend a lot of time working in the soil). I’ve heard of similar issues in the Caribbean as a result of soil bacteria making it accross the atlantic in storms causing “White Banned Disease”. There is no known cure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_band_disease

I have an MP60 and an MP40 on the tank... lots of flow.

I dont think there is anything I can do. I really can’t dip anything because the coral has completely grown together.

 

[Ben Pedersen]

I’ve always wondered if virus or bacteria or whatever microbes that cause this could be held off by a strong uv sterilizer?

I added a UV sterilizer with no benifit that I can see.

 

[Ben Pedersen]

I’ve experienced the same problem where the bleaching starts at the base and spreads. From frags to colonies it does not matter and slowly other frags will be affected.

Although I do not what caused it other than some kind of pests, I was able to stop the spread by bayer dipping all affected corals. In fact I methodically dipped all corals in my tank over a course of weeks and it has stopped the spread.

Do you drip directly in your tank? How much? What brand? What are the risks?

 

[Ben Pedersen]

No other changes with the system, lights, etc.? What is phosphate at?

Lighting hasn’t changed. Phosphates were non detectable when last tested. However, there is a light film of greenish brown algae on the glass every day..

 

[Mattrg02]

It does seem to be some kind of pathogen. I wonder if you can outcompete the bacteria with good bacteria? Something like Vibrant or MB7? We use “good” algea to outcompete bad algea all of the time. I wonder if bacteria can be fought this way?

 

[Ben Pedersen]

It does seem to be some kind of pathogen. I wonder if you can outcompete the bacteria with good bacteria? Something like Vibrant or MB7? We use “good” algea to outcompete bad algea all of the time. I wonder if bacteria can be fought this way?

That is an intresting idea.