What Causes Brown Jelly Disease? How to Prevent?

[kyley]

Do we know much about what causes this and ways to prevent it? I mean, I know it's a bacterial infection, but I suspect it's in our tanks and the right conditions may arise that cause it to take over and kill a corals. I just lost a couple heads of frogspawn, yet they'd been in my tank for half a year. I think it's been a good month or so since I'd added anything to the tank (very long time since any euphyllia). So, anyone know of research on how it takes over? Or educated guesses?

Also asking this for @Currdawg12 and @Ponyo who both mentioned having it in another thread. Cheers,
--Kyle

 

[Aqua Man]

Looking for answers to those questions also

 

[MichaelReefer]

I was told that any kind of cuts or lacerations can cause it. Just like an infection we get in a cut or wound. Which can be caused by sand?

 

[Flippers4pups]

In short, there are "good" bacteria and "bad" bacteria in our reef tanks. Healthy corals in a healthy system (mature, good consistent water parameters, plenty of established bacteria and a good nutrient export system) in this case, euphyllia, will thrive and grow.

Stress induced (and here's where things get murky) from a numerous variables: water parameter change/sudden, light intensity change/sudden, pests, temperature change/sudden, coral health prior to buying, damage (warfare, physical damage)....... Anything that comprises stability, can cause a weakened state. Remember, in the ocean, these coral have very stable environments.

Once weakened, it's immune system is under attack. (Much like any animal) bad bacteria can invade and increase in numbers in healthy tissue and the coral tries to expell this invader. Sometimes it can overcome this and in others it can't.

The reason it can become contagious is the amount of bad bacteria becomes so pronounced that it's numbers can become dislodged from the infected coral and travel to near by coral and infect it. Conditions where, say water parameters are off a lot, other near by coral can be in a compromised condition as well, making it easier for transmission to happen.

Hope this helps.

 

[Aqua Man]

Yes it does and makes good sense.
thank you

 

[Flippers4pups]

Yes it does and makes good sense.
thank you

Your welcome! Best of luck to you!

 

[Dr. Jim]

I haven't seen it in many years but when I did have it I looked at it under a microscope and the sample was loaded with actively moving protozoa. But, I'm not sure if they are just secondary opportunists or if they are what caused the brown jelly.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I haven't seen it in many years but when I did have it I looked at it under a microscope and the sample was loaded with actively moving protozoa. But, I'm not sure if they are just secondary opportunists or if they are what caused the brown jelly.

They are, much like what happens in STN/RTN with SPS, protozoans. Ciliates. They are the clean up crew of the dead tissue. The bacteria are the true killers, not the Ciliates.


At 12:43 you can see them.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

In short, there are "good" bacteria and "bad" bacteria in our reef tanks. Healthy corals in a healthy system (mature, good consistent water parameters, plenty of established bacteria and a good nutrient export system) in this case, euphyllia, will thrive and grow.

Stress induced (and here's where things get murky) from a numerous variables: water parameter change/sudden, light intensity change/sudden, pests, temperature change/sudden, coral health prior to buying, damage (warfare, physical damage)....... Anything that comprises stability, can cause a weakened state. Remember, in the ocean, these coral have very stable environments.

Once weakened, it's immune system is under attack. (Much like any animal) bad bacteria can invade and increase in numbers in healthy tissue and the coral tries to expell this invader. Sometimes it can overcome this and in others it can't.

The reason it can become contagious is the amount of bad bacteria becomes so pronounced that it's numbers can become dislodged from the infected coral and travel to near by coral and infect it. Conditions where, say water parameters are off a lot, other near by coral can be in a compromised condition as well, making it easier for transmission to happen.

Hope this helps.

Great explanation!

 

[Stigigemla]

When I see brown jelly disease I just hang up the coral a few inches in front of a stream pump.
The flow shall be so strong that no tentacle is expanded. It seems that the bacteria dont stand such a high flow. Of course the coral also dont but 24 hours is OK. It might be a risk that the bacteria thats getting stuck on other corals will spread the infection but that has never happened to me.