Porite coral health

[Peter Jones]

I have a porite coral that seems to be getting more and more encrusted by red and green coraline algae. Any suggestions as to how to arrest and/or reverse it. Water parameters are fine, and consistent. All other things in the tank are fine (now that the GSP opened again) and consistent.

 

[Gargausius]

Porites corals are not the easiest to keep. They like intense lighting (MH or equivalent type lights) and good water movement. They are also relatively slow growing corals.

I would take off as much of the coraline algae around the coral by hand as you possibly can. A healthy coral shouldn't allow even coralline algae to grow over it. They have chemical growth inhibitors to help with this.

Signs of good health on Porites are it being evenly colored. They should be either yellow, beige, golden brown, or brown. Polyps should be extended during the day (the polyps resemble really short Goniopora polyps).