We have a problem in one of our holding tanks that is currently holding about 150 colonies of various types of corals. We received a shipment over the weekend, everything that was added was dipped before placement. Shortly after adding the new corals, both new corals and original corals started showing signs of stress. About an hour later we noticed that a lot of brain corals had this clumpy, string like substance forming on it or coming out of it. It's hard to say what it is, I was initially thinking it that it was some type of snail/nudibranch egg but now I am wondering if it is some type of secretion or waste that is being released from the coral.
I am wondering if this could be some type of chemical warfare between a few coral species..
When I sat down to type up this post earlier this afternoon, I was going to tell you that this seemed to only be affecting brain corals but since then I've noticed that it spread to a pictinia coral and also as mushroom coral.
Here are a few pictures of the substance that I am trying to ID:
Here it is shown on a pectinia coral. The strands are loose and almost string like.
Moments after I noticed this I decided to take a turkey-baster and try to flush the strands off of the coral. This caused the strands to almost "retract" and become very tight and compact.
One hour passed in between the time that I noticed the strands were tight and compact and when this picture was taken, where everything is looking pretty good:
Can you guys offer any help or advice? I really need to ID whatever this is.
I am wondering if this could be some type of chemical warfare between a few coral species..
When I sat down to type up this post earlier this afternoon, I was going to tell you that this seemed to only be affecting brain corals but since then I've noticed that it spread to a pictinia coral and also as mushroom coral.
Here are a few pictures of the substance that I am trying to ID:
Here it is shown on a pectinia coral. The strands are loose and almost string like.
Moments after I noticed this I decided to take a turkey-baster and try to flush the strands off of the coral. This caused the strands to almost "retract" and become very tight and compact.
One hour passed in between the time that I noticed the strands were tight and compact and when this picture was taken, where everything is looking pretty good:
Can you guys offer any help or advice? I really need to ID whatever this is.
