On 14 May 2012, I received this bleached and receding Favia sp. coral. There was algae covering the exposed skeleton between the polyps as well. Although it isn’t shown, the back portion was mostly dead (and so was the front left area).
Here it is in the quarantine tank after the appropriate dips and inspections. Shortly after this photo, I decided to trim the dead portions off, which left mostly a flat piece.
By 14 August 2012, the coral had stopped receding and was regaining color. The algae was gone as well.
After five months (7 October 2012), the coral was starting to display a lovely “glitter” effect in its tissue.
Ignoring the bit of damage on the top (a coral fell into it – these things happen), by 6 January 2013, the coral was nearly recovered.
However, after another ten months (12 October 2013), it started to morph with these dark rings. Here, it is eating, which helped highlight its color ring.
By 2 March 2014 the coral was full morphed and healed.
After two years (5 May 2014), the coral stabilized and just continued growing naturally.
Two years may seem like a long time, but it was so worth all the effort!
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