When I first started keeping a saltwater aquarium, I was looking everywhere for inexpensive live rock (college debt was all-consuming). Down in the rubble bin of a local fish store, I happened across a neat semi-spherical piece. The owner asked $5 for it, which looking back was quite expensive for a 0.5lb piece of rock, but oh well. Little did I know that I would have a beautiful piece originating from a previously dying moon coral.
When I got the piece of “live rock” home, I realized it had about the most pathetic coral remaining on it. I tried to not get my hopes up, and I definitely didn’t see any beauty potential in it. When I placed the rock in the aquarium, the crabs swarmed over it like bees on honey. There apparently was a fair bit of algae on it. And, since this was 2007, there was no quarantine, no dipping, or any other good practice.
Please don’t mind the poor quality photo. This was at some point in 2007 (likely around July/August). I lost the original version somewhere along the way to 2024 (all that remains is a tiny enlarged thumbnail), my camera wasn’t the best, and admittedly, my photography skills were never great from the start.
After a few weeks, it started to extended tentacles, so I fed it. I was new to feeding corals, so it was probably just eating some pellets.
In this embarrassing photo (likely taken around December 2007), please don’t mind the bleached Alveopora and the fake colored blue ridge coral. I learned my lessons.
The coral changed very little from ~July to December 2007 (~5 months), so the change from December 2007 to April 2008 (4 months) still amazes me. During that time I upgraded from power compacts to metal halides, and my system reached over 1 year maturity. (Just look at that coralline!)
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After one year (~July 2008), the coral was not only healthy, but it was also becoming quite beautiful! And, my reefkeeping skills were a lot less terrifyingly bad!
Note the incredible size difference between this photo (~October 2008) and the previous (~July 2008). The coral appeared to double in only about three months.
By late October 2008, there was almost no evidence the coral ever had any issues.
June 2009 (the latest photo I can find has this watermark)
I sold the coral in 2011 as it had fully outgrown my aquarium space, and we had to move across the country. If I remember correctly, the final diameter was about 8″. I never imagined my little piece of “live rock” would turn into such a beauty.
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
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
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.
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
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.)
With this post, CoralEverAfter expands from just coral conservation of present-day corals to appreciation of their fossil history – and maybe a glimpse into the future. I’m a nerd, through and through, right down to the rock collection I’ve had since I was a kid. However, last year, everything changed. My husband went to Australia and brought me back some opals – in the rough. He knew I had my Gryphon band saw for cutting live corals, so he thought the hard part was over (this reminds me of when I found that *free* fish tank at a yard sale that started my reefkeeping obsession). Well, I ended up with a slab saw (to cut the rough into something more workable), and then I ended up with a cabbing machine. And, of course, I couldn’t start with the opals; I had to practice! So I started buying rocks…and got addicted. But then, I found fossilized oceans. More specifically, agatized corals that were once part of an ancient reef.
So now, not only am I interested in reefkeeping and scuba diving, I’m also into coral lapidary arts. But, it doesn’t stop there. Ooooh no… Because what’s the point of having all these pretty rocks just stored up?? So, I started metalsmithing copper and silver. I already bead, so now I have pretty much the whole lifecycle of jewelry. I hope you enjoy the amazing variety of coral polyp structures, mineral colors, cyanobacteria structures, preserved deathbeds of clams, and other finds on these ancient coral reefs from fossilized oceans.
Indonesian Coral necklace, set in copper with pearl and copper accents
Indonesia Agatized Coral and Marine Life
The variety of patterns and colors in Indonesian agatized coral and other marine life is truly stunning. Some are nearly entirely agatized, leaving little traces of the original flower-patterned mineralization. Others, leave just the polyp structure, resulting in an incredible field-of-flowers pattern. But, one of my absolute favorites isn’t even a fossilized coral; it’s “Script Jasper,” which is a mortality plate of clams made of vibrant oranges, puce, and small crystal patches.
Indonesian Agatized Coral Cabochon
Indonesia Agatized Coral and Rough
Indonesian Agatized Coral Cabochon and Rough
Indonesian Agatized Coral Cabochon
Indonesia Agatized Coral Cabochon and Rough
Coquina Clam Mortality Plate Cabochon and Rough
Indonesian Agatized Coral Slab
Indonesian Agatized Coral Slab
Indonesian Agatized Coral Slab
Indonesian Agatized Coral Slab
Indonesian Agatized Coral Slab
Indonesian Agatized Coral Slab
Indonesian Agatized Coral Slab
United States Agatized Coral and Marine Life
Southwest United States:
While most Utah agatized coral comes in varying shades of browns, grays, and yellows, the Red Horn Coral (Lophophyllidium sp.) stands out, not only amongst Utah corals, but is probably at the top worldwide for its coloration, patterns, and specimen quality. Another red fossilized coral is found in Arizona. Arizona fossilized coral is a unique combination of red jasper with a soft yellowish calcite center and bits of sparkly crystal druzy. While they may not make the highest quality cabochons for jewelry, they are certainly interesting in structure and coloration. But then, there are the Michigan corals. They deserve their own paragraph.
Midwestern United States:
Probably the most infamous fossilized coral is the Michigan Petosky Stone, known for its gray body and darker gray eyes. But, there are so many more corals overshadowed by the Petosky. Take, for instance, the lowly chain coral (Halycites sp.). What a fascinating coral structure that looks like a chain necklace! Then, there are Charlevoix stones, Cladopora, and so many more! Although I don’t have examples here, other parts of the Midwest are home to lovely fossil corals.
Southern United States:
While the Petosky stone probably holds the most popular title, Florida’s Tampa Bay agatized corals are downright breathtaking. However, if you’re a coral purist, you may find yourself saddened that very few of the specimens display any remnants of the coral polyps. These agatized corals are so fully agatized that very few traces of the original structure remain. In the slideshow below, the orange piece shows miniscule traces of the original polyps along the white outer edge.
Northwestern United States
If all the fossilized corals in the United States weren’t enough, there’s other fossilized sea life, particularly Stromatolites and Oncolites, which are various microbial remnants, primarily mats and orbs of cyanobacteria. And… let’s not forget the famous Turritella agate (although it’s a freshwater snail species).
Utah Agatized Horn Coral Cabochon and Rough
Utah Horn Coral Cabochon and Rough
Arizona Agatized Coral Cabochon and Rough
Michigan Chain Coral (“Halycites”) Cabochon and Rough
Michigan Petosky Stone Cabochon and Rough
Tampa Bay, Florida Agatized Coral Cabochon
Wyoming Crinoid (Sea Lily) Cabochon and Rough
Stromatolite (Cyanobacteria Mat) Cabochon and Rough
Oncolites (Cyanobacteria orbs) Cabochon and Rough
Utah Horn Coral Slab
Michigan Cladopora Coral Slab
Michigan Petosky (Hexagonaria percarinata) Slab
Morocco Agatized Coral and Marine Life
It’s incredible to me that one of the most dazzlingly yellow pieces here is stromatolite (microbial mat, primarily cyanobacteria). The ketchup-and-mustard combination, swirled together amidst crystallized valleys, creates a stunning piece. In contrast, while the Actinocyanthus coral cabochon may not boast spectacular coloration, it compensates with exquisite detail in the polyp structure. Some specimens simply look like modern specimens filled with resin; they’re incredible.
I rarely find agatized coral from Mexico (in fact, I only have two slabs), but both are extraordinary. They feature botryoidal formations (bubbly-round structures), crystals, and agate mixed amongst the jasper in varying shades of pinks, grays, and browns.
Mexico Agatized/Crystallized Coral Cabochon
Mexican Agatized Coral Rough
Mexican Agatized and Crystallized Coral Rough
United Kingdom Agatized Coral
My only specimen from the United Kingdom is what I believe is this Lithostrotion coral. It features crystalline tubes surrounded by a dark jasper. No polyp structures are evident.
United Kingdom Lithostrotion Agatized Coral Cabochon and Rough
Unidentified Locale Agatized Coral and Marine Life
These are all unique pieces obtained from various sources, but they also came without any origin information. If you have any insights to these pieces, please let me know!
Unidentified Agatized Coral Cabochon and Rough
Invertebrate Mortality Plate Cabochon and Rough
Stromatolite (Cyanobacteria Mat) Cabochon
Unidentified Agatized Coral Cabochon and Rough
Conclusion:
Agatized corals are a great way to learn about ancient fossilized oceans and the predecessors to our current coral reefs. By studying the past, embracing the present, and planning for the future, maybe we can continue the fairytale of CoralEverAfter with a happy ending.
To Learn More:
If you would like to learn more about fossilized corals, their identification, and their structures, this website *rocks*!
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.
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.
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.
14 March 2012 to 20 May 2012, Caulastrea “Candy Cane” Coral
To see more amazing rehabilitations of previously dying corals, click here!
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).
1 November 200828 November 20085 April 20091 January 20107 October 201231 March 201325 May 202028 August 2021
