Rehabilitation Archives - Coral Ever After

Dying Homophyllia (Scolymia) Coral Rehabilitation

reefdup Homophyllia, Rehabilitation March 12, 2024March 12, 2024australis, Coral, coral dip, Dying Coral, Homophyllia, husbandry, quarantine, Rehabilitation, Rescue Coral, Scolymia 0 Comment

Previously Dying Homophyllia australia (Scolymia) Coral Fully Rehabilitated

A local reefkeeper contacted me about possibly saving his dying Scolymia coral (Homophyllia australis), and the condition of it sounded quite bad. But, seeing its condition was still a shock. I wasn’t sure if there was even a mouth left since the tissue was so shrunken and discolored. But, I went ahead and did my best; its complete rehabilitation was a success! Read on for more information about this dying Homophyllia australis (Scolymia) coral’s successful rehabilitation.

Intake: Acclimation, Inspection, and Dips

Dying Homophyllia australia (Scolymia) Coral in a Dip

When I brought the coral home (12 March 2022), I placed it (still in the container) into the sump of my quarantine tank to acclimate to the temperature for only 15 minutes. Next, I brought it over to my workbench for inspection, dipping, etc.

First, I had to assess its health. For more information on assessing a coral’s health and potential causes of damage, check out “Assessing Coral Health: An Introduction.”

Next, came the inspection and dip process. My “handy-dandy flow-chart” led me to classify this coral as an “urgent” case, which meant that it was in bad shape requiring lots of care. However, it wasn’t to the point of an emergency. This category determination was based on the algae-covered skeleton, clinging tissue, and unknown mouth situation (along with the mesenterial filaments coming out everywhere). Then came my dip process, which was fairly standard for this case. Typically I would remove excess skeleton and glue down any damaged tissue, but in this case, I absolutely had no clue what was what. Even what little tissue remained didn’t fluoresce much, so I just rolled with what I had.

Quarantine: Care and Feeding

Dying Homophyllia australia (Scolymia) Coral

After the dips, I placed the coral into my quarantine tank. Typically, I place these types of corals on the sand bed, but I wanted to really observe this one closely. So, I placed it up on a frag rack up near the surface of the water. This would also make feedings easier. I still wasn’t sure what was tissue and what was skeleton at this point.

In several days (18 March 2022), I was able to start to see the actual remaining tissue condition a bit better. Granted, it was pretty bad. At this point, I was in a “watch-and-see” mode. Attempts to feed could cause the coral to rot, if it is unable to properly digest the food. However, I did start target feeding corals nearby to see if I could elicit a feeding response.

In less than a month (8 April 2022), the coral was no longer retracted into the skeleton. It wasn’t pretty, but by this point, I had confidence in its survival – as long as I could get it to eat. However, I still wasn’t ready to start feeding it, as its mouth condition was unsuitable.

Recovering Homophyllia australia (Scolymia) Coral

The coral was finally ready to start taking supplemental food by about the 1.5 month point (21 May 2022). Notice the tentacles extending and mostly-formed mouth. Success!

Conclusion: Scolymia Rehabilitation Success

Rehabilitated Homophyllia australia (Scolymia) Coral

Today, the previously dying Homophyllia australis (Scolymia) coral is an absolute stunner (although my photography is lacking). Notice how a lot of the grayish stripes turned green over time. This coral also features various orange shades and even yellow hues! Absolutely lovely! (Photo was taken 25 November 2023.)

Dying Caulastrea Coral Rehabilitation

reefdup Caulastrea, Rehabilitation November 6, 2022November 6, 2022bacteria, BJD, BJS, brown jelly, brown jelly disease, brown jelly syndrome, candy cane, Caulastrea, ciliate, Coral, Dying Coral, infection, Rehabilitation, Rescue Coral, trumpet 4 Comments

Before and After Rehabilitated Dying Caulastrea Candy Cane Coral

I was given this dying Caulastrea “Candy Cane” or “Trumpet” coral and was told it had “brown jelly disease.” Although I had seen plenty of corals with “brown jelly”-like substances, I hadn’t had the mass contagion and mortality that some reefkeepers claimed at the time (although since then, I certainly have). I viewed this coral as a good challenge for rehabilitation. Although, without having a microscope back then, I knew I was taking a huge risk.

Infected Dying Caulastrea Candy Cane Coral

Note the damage and “brown jelly” on the four polyps. Image dated 14 March 2012.

First, I assessed the dying Caulastrea coral’s overall health, which was quite obvious. Of course, there was nothing I could do for the polyps on the right, so they were fragged off. The other four polyps looked awful. I dipped them in both Coral Rx and Lugols (separate dips) to check/treat for anything. I also used a pipette to gently blow off all “brown jelly” I could, without damaging the rest of the coral. Essentially, I just followed my standard inspection, dip, and quarantine protocols.

The coral would not take any food for several weeks. Instead, I resorted to just removing the “brown jelly” and maintaining water conditions, which worked in this case.

Rehabilitated Caulastrea Candy Cane Coral

By 20 May 2012, the four remaining polyps had fully recovered. Once it started eating, the road to recovery was very quick.

I can’t say for sure that this was the typical “Brown Jelly Syndrome (BJS),” but it was still nasty. It left the coral quite ill for some time; it took another seven months to create another polyp. I do recommend extreme caution in cases like this, as BJS can cause massive die-off in the aquariums.

To see more amazing rehabilitations of previously dying corals, click here!

Dying Turbinaria Coral Rehabilitation

reefdup Rehabilitation, Turbinaria August 21, 2022August 21, 2022Coral, coral dip, cup coral, disc coral, Dying Coral, pagoda coral, quarantine, Rehabilitation, Rescue Coral, ruffled ridge coral, Scroll coral, vase coral 0 Comment

Rehabilitated Turbinaria Coral — Dying Turbinaria Coral Rehabilitated

Dying Dipsastraea Coral Rehabilitation

reefdup Dipsastraea, Rehabilitation August 13, 2022October 16, 2022Coral, Dipsastraea, Dying Coral, Rehabilitation, Rescue Coral 0 Comment

This Dipsastraea coral (previously classified as a Favia sp.) was not my first rescue coral, but it is by far one of my favorites. I picked it up in ~2008 from a local fish store’s discount $5 bin. I had no idea how to save it at the time, so it was mostly luck. I kept it in low light and medium flow. I also fed my homemade frozen food at least weekly. The colors really pop under very low light, actinic conditions.

The coral has moved with us to four different states over 14 years, so I have fragged it many times (so it is much smaller than it would have been otherwise).