Blackish Growth on Nepthia - Disease??

[garshejor]

Hello. I have been reefkeeping for a few years now and have never run into this problem. I have a beautiful green nepthia that as of late has some sort of black growth on the tips of its branches. I am able to easily knock off the black stuff with a plastic rod, but it takes the tip of the branch with it. Is this a disease? In a couple days, the black stuff regrows in the spot where I broke it off. It is not on any of the other corals in the tank. The water quality is typicaly very good, but in mid-October we had a week-long power outage in our area and the temperature in the tank dropped down to 55 or 60 and the filter was not running. I had a battery operated air pump going day and night, but I'm sure the oxygen declined some since I lost a few fish. Should I snip off the affected branches with scissors, or perhaps do an iodine dip? Any suggestions and knowledge of this would be helpful..THANKS!

:rolleye1:

 

[Hormigaquatica]

It is an infection, which can spread through the entire colony and to other softies in the tank Im afraid. The stress from the power outtage you mentioned would be more than enough to trigger that kind of response.

I would take the coral out of the tank if possible and trim up the branches, about 1/2" into the unaffected tissue (outside the tank just to prevent infected tissue from floating around and landing on other corals). If tank params are back up to par, there is a decent chance it will recover. Stronger water flow over the Nephthea may help discourage the infection from returning.

 

[garshejor]

Great, I'll give it a try. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Hormigaquatica]

No prob- good luck!