What is this on my candy cane?

[baldislife]

I have a candy cane frag that has been doing well since starting the tank 5 months ago. There are three heads and one is showing some brown growth. I tried to blow it off with a turkey baster and no luck. The one next to it seems to be doing okay and is puffy. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Timfish]

Probably algae and likely some other stuff of some kind. Endoliths live in coral skeletons and might be benefical under some circumstances. You can try dipping it but I would just be patient.

 

[kevgib67]

If any part of the skeleton is exposed algae will grow on it. I hope that this is not the case.

 

[Seansea]

You got high phos? The algae in their polyps can turn brown if phis is high