Bleaching VS white Acropora

[brad]

Is there a way to tell if Acropora is naturally white, lighter in color as a result of low nutrients (Zeovit type tanks) or dying?

I have a strawberry shortcake that is light tan, as well as an unknown almost pure white acro. Both have good polyp extension and seem to be growing at least as much as any of my other acro's (poor growth in my tank right now), although I've only had the white one for 2 weeks.

 

[Allmost]

its the same thing, just different causes.

the coral that is bleached has lost its Zoox algae within ... now that could be due to no nutrients, or could be due to too much lighting, or could be due to high temp.

 

[brad]

Well, generally we can assume white = lack of zooxanthellae

But coral in Zeovit systems is generally very healthy, as is coral that is naturally white.

Coral that is bleached from too much lighting or high temperature is usually dying.

 

[Allmost]

Well, generally we can assume white = lack of zooxanthellae

But coral in Zeovit systems is generally very healthy, as is coral that is naturally white.

Coral that is bleached from too much lighting or high temperature is usually dying.

well the first part, is prety much a fact.

but lower Zoox, does not mean coral is NOT healthy

corals in Zeovit, are not white. they are lighter, "regulated Zoox population"

been using Zeovit since 07.

the scientific process, is the same, even products like Zeospure2, work by bleaching corals. [copper and zinc]

Edit : in Zeovit, the Zoox population is regulated, but not the color pigments, they are actually enhanced, hence the paler but colorfull corals. when a coral bleaches in high temp. ... it also expels its color pigments, making it super white and THIN tissue. perhaps this could have been a better answer

 

[shih87]

This is a SPS I saw in a Taiwan reefer's tank (Elton Wang). It is complete white the way I see, the first moment I wonder why he keep a bleaching coral in tank, then realized it was quite healthy. The photo below did not run a good while balance.

 

[lionfish300]

bleached corals usually have no pe and quickly cover with algea

 

[brad]

bleached corals usually have no pe and quickly cover with algea

Then is it safe to assume corals that have been white a long time with good pe no algea are probably fine?

 

[Allmost]

bleached corals usually have no pe and quickly cover with algea

no not true at all.

dead corals get covered with algae, if SPS has Tissue on it, algae wont grow on it.

the situation you are talking about above is about a dead coral, which has lost 100% of its Tissue.